Word Stress
* Focus: Emphasis within a single word.
* How it works: Certain syllables in a word are pronounced louder and clearer than others. This helps differentiate words that are spelled similarly (like "object" and "object") and adds rhythm to speech.
* Example: In the word "adventure," the stress is on the first syllable ("ad-").
Sentence Stress
* Focus: Emphasis on specific words within a sentence to convey meaning and highlight the most important information.
* How it works: Certain words in a sentence are pronounced louder and clearer than others. This helps the listener understand the main point of the sentence and the speaker's intention.
* Example: In the sentence "I went to the store," the words "went" and "store" are stressed to emphasize the action and location.
Key Differences
* Scope: Word stress focuses on individual words, while sentence stress considers the entire sentence.
* Purpose: Word stress aids pronunciation and distinguishes words. Sentence stress clarifies meaning and intention.
Example:
Imagine someone saying "I want to go to the beach."
* Word Stress: "Want" and "beach" are stressed within their individual words.
* Sentence Stress: "Want" and "beach" are also stressed within the sentence to highlight the speaker's desire and the destination.
In Summary:
Word stress is like highlighting individual letters within a word, while sentence stress is like highlighting certain words within a sentence to make them stand out. Both are crucial for clear and effective communication.