The shortcuts that native speakers use without thinking
English word stress can seem random, but it's not. Many suffixes have predictable stress rules that tell you exactly which syllable to emphasize. Once you learn these patterns, you can correctly stress thousands of words you've never seen before.
The Golden Rules
Here are the most important suffix stress rules:
| Suffix | Rule | Example | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ic | Stress the syllable BEFORE -ic | de-mo-CRA-tic | oooOo |
| -tion/-sion | Stress the syllable BEFORE -tion | com-mu-ni-CA-tion | ooooOo |
| -ity | Stress the syllable BEFORE -ity | e-lec-TRI-ci-ty | ooOoo |
| -ical | Stress TWO syllables BEFORE -ical | e-co-NO-mi-cal | ooOoo |
| -ious/-eous | Stress the syllable BEFORE | mys-TE-ri-ous | oOoo |
| -ial | Stress the syllable BEFORE -ial | of-FI-cial | oOo |
Rule 1: The -ic Rule
Always stress the syllable directly BEFORE -ic.
This rule is almost 100% reliable. When you see a word ending in -ic, find the syllable right before it and stress that one.
Examples
More -ic Words
- pho-to-GRA-phic
- en-thu-si-AS-tic
- op-ti-MIS-tic
- pes-si-MIS-tic
- au-to-MA-tic
- sys-te-MA-tic
- e-lec-TRO-nic
- his-TO-ric
Rule 2: The -tion/-sion Rule
Always stress the syllable directly BEFORE -tion or -sion.
This rule works for thousands of common English words.
Examples with -tion
Examples with -sion
More -tion/-sion Words
- si-tu-A-tion
- or-ga-ni-ZA-tion
- pre-sen-TA-tion
- con-ver-SA-tion
- pro-FES-sion
- dis-CUS-sion
Rule 3: The -ity Rule
Always stress the syllable directly BEFORE -ity.
Examples
More -ity Words
- a-BI-li-ty
- per-so-NA-li-ty
- re-a-LI-ty
- cre-a-TI-vi-ty
- cu-ri-O-si-ty
- ne-CES-si-ty
Rule 4: The -ical Rule
Stress TWO syllables BEFORE -ical.
This is the same as saying: stress the syllable before -ic (since -ical = -ic + -al).
Examples
More -ical Words
- tech-NO-lo-gi-cal
- psy-cho-LO-gi-cal
- bio-LO-gi-cal
- al-pha-BE-ti-cal
- gram-MA-ti-cal
Rule 5: The -ious/-eous Rule
Stress the syllable directly BEFORE -ious or -eous.
Examples
Stress Shift: When Suffixes Change Everything
Notice how adding a suffix can completely change where the stress falls:
| Base Word | + Suffix | New Stress |
|---|---|---|
| PHO-to | + graphic | pho-to-GRA-phic |
| E-co-no-my | + ic | e-co-NO-mic |
| e-LEC-tric | + ity | e-lec-TRI-ci-ty |
| HIS-to-ry | + ical | his-TO-ri-cal |
| com-MU-ni-cate | + tion | com-mu-ni-CA-tion |
The suffix "pulls" the stress toward it, always landing on a predictable syllable.
Quick Practice
Where does the stress fall? (Answers below)
- optimistic
- presentation
- nationality
- alphabetical
- enthusiastic
Answers:
- op-ti-MIS-tic (before -ic)
- pre-sen-TA-tion (before -tion)
- na-tio-NA-li-ty (before -ity)
- al-pha-BE-ti-cal (before -ic in -ical)
- en-thu-si-AS-tic (before -ic)
Why This Matters
Correct word stress is crucial because:
- Comprehension: Wrong stress can make words unrecognizable
- Natural rhythm: English relies on stress patterns for its flow
- Professional impression: Correct stress signals fluency
These rules cover thousands of English words. Once you internalize them, you'll automatically stress new words correctly, even ones you've never heard before.