Professional environments demand clear communication. Mispronouncing key terms can undermine your credibility—even if your ideas are excellent. This guide covers stress patterns for essential vocabulary across four major professional fields.
Business and Finance
Core Business Terms
Finance Terminology
Medical and Healthcare
Common Medical Terms
Specialties and Procedures
Legal Terminology
Court and Legal Process
Contracts and Agreements
Technology and IT
Software and Development
Tech Industry Terms
Quick Reference by Field
| Field | Word | Stress Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Business | aNAlysis | 2nd syllable |
| Business | STRAtegy | 1st syllable |
| Business | straTEgic | 2nd syllable |
| Medical | diagNOsis | 3rd syllable |
| Medical | SYMPtom | 1st syllable |
| Legal | aTTORney | 2nd syllable |
| Legal | PREcedent | 1st syllable |
| Tech | ALgorithm | 1st syllable |
| Tech | comPAtible | 2nd syllable |
Common Patterns Across Fields
Words Ending in -tion (Stress before suffix)
- acquiSItion
- litigaTION
- prescripTION
- jurisdicTION
Words Ending in -ic (Stress before suffix)
- straTEgic
- psychiAtric
- pediAtric
- orthoPEdic
Words Ending in -ity (Stress before suffix)
- liaBIlity
- compatiBIlity
- indemNIty
Practice Tips for Professional Contexts
- Listen to experts: Watch professional presentations in your field
- Record yourself: Compare your pronunciation to native speakers
- Practice in context: Use words in full sentences, not isolation
- Learn word families: strategy → strategic → strategically
- Check before presentations: Verify pronunciation of key terms
Key Takeaways
- Professional vocabulary follows predictable stress patterns
- -tion, -ic, and -ity endings have consistent stress rules
- Many terms shift stress when they change form
- Correct stress builds professional credibility
- Practice field-specific vocabulary in context