Different words in a sentence have stronger stress and are pronounced longer and other words are weaker and shorter. This pattern of strong and weak stress and short and long pronunciation gives English its rhythm.
It is important for non-native speakers to understand and master the rhythm of English. If the wrong words are stressed in a sentence or if all words are pronounced with the same length or loudness, the speech will be difficult to understand. Why is stressing important for pronunciation? It is important because it adds “music” to the language. It is the rhythm of the English language.
Words that have the most stress in English are calledcontent words. Content words are usually the nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns (demonstrative, possessive, reflexive, and interrogative). These words are important to express the main meaning of the sentence.
Function words are those words that are weaker and shorter. They include auxiliary verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, determiners, and possessive adjectives. These words are less important in expressing the meaning of the sentence.
When English is spoken, the speaker alternates between stressed and unstressed syllables in regular intervals, with the stresses falling within content words. The stressed syllables of the sentence create beats. The beats of the following sentence fall on the words bought, car, and the first syllable of Tuesday.
I bought a car on Tuesday.
The sentence I bought a car on Tuesday is seven syllables long and the content words alternate with function words. We can use our fingers; tap them on the table or snap them to make a rhythm. Only tap on the stressed syllables: bought, car, and Tuesday. Remember we only stress the first syllable Tues on Tuesday.
How about this sentence? Which syllables do you think need stressing? If you think you need to put a stressed on took, bus, and park, then you are right.
I took a bus to the park.
Why don’t you try this one yourself? Let me know which syllables need stressing in the comment.
I’ll build a fire in the fireplace.
Check out these videos and learn more about stress and rhythm in English pronunciation with Larissa andFluency MC
Never ever ask these questions when you first meet someone
I’ve been asked some of the questions I’m about to tell you too many times before and I think it’s about time I told you that they are impolite and even considered rude. Here are the questions:
1. How old are you?
It’s a no-no question, especially when you ask this question to a woman because age is not just numbers to us. Age does matter.
It’s a no-no question, especially when you ask this question to a woman because age is not just numbers to us. Age does matter.
2. Are you married?
3. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Or:
Why are you still single?
Helloooooo… Since when my marital status is important to you?
3. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Or:
Why are you still single?
Helloooooo… Since when my marital status is important to you?
4. Are you gay?
Duh! Do I look like one? Did I give you an impression that I am a gay? Even if I were, which is I’m not, my sexual orientation is none of your business.
Duh! Do I look like one? Did I give you an impression that I am a gay? Even if I were, which is I’m not, my sexual orientation is none of your business.
5. What’s your religion?
Are you a Muslim/Christian/Jewish?
Huh?! Don’t ever ask this question because it’s a sensitive one.
Are you a Muslim/Christian/Jewish?
Huh?! Don’t ever ask this question because it’s a sensitive one.
6. What do you do?
7. How much money do you make?
Unless you want to brag about your job and how much money you make, don’t ask those questions. It’s very very impolite.
7. How much money do you make?
Unless you want to brag about your job and how much money you make, don’t ask those questions. It’s very very impolite.
8. When’s the baby due? (When in fact you’re not even pregnant. You’re just a bit plump.)
Actually, I’ve never been asked this question before, but my sister has. I was like “OMG! She really had the nerve to ask her this question!” You should’ve seen the look on my sister’s face. It’s so terrifying!
Actually, I’ve never been asked this question before, but my sister has. I was like “OMG! She really had the nerve to ask her this question!” You should’ve seen the look on my sister’s face. It’s so terrifying!
I believe those questions are considered impolite not only in English but also in many cultures. So, the next time you meet someone for the first time, never ever ask those questions. Got it?
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