Understanding Secondary Stress
Secondary stress is a weaker emphasis on a syllable compared to the primary stress, which is the strongest emphasis. It helps us pronounce words more clearly and understand their meaning.
Examples:
* "in'ter'est'ing": The primary stress falls on the second syllable ("ter"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("in").
* "de'mo'cra'cy": The primary stress falls on the second syllable ("mo"). The secondary stress is on the fourth syllable ("cra").
* "uni'ver'si'ty": The primary stress is on the third syllable ("ver"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("uni").
* "re'pu'ta'tion": The primary stress is on the second syllable ("pu"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("re").
* "con'tri'bu'tion": The primary stress is on the third syllable ("bu"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("con").
* "un'der'stand'ing": The primary stress is on the third syllable ("stand"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("un").
* "o'bliga'tion": The primary stress is on the second syllable ("li"). The secondary stress is on the first syllable ("o").
How to Identify Secondary Stress
* Dictionaries: Many dictionaries indicate secondary stress with a lighter symbol than primary stress.
* Practice and Listening: Paying close attention to how native speakers pronounce words can help you learn to recognize secondary stress.
Important Notes:
* Not all words have secondary stress. Some words only have one primary stress.
* The placement of secondary stress can change depending on the word's context.
* The distinction between primary and secondary stress can be subtle, especially in longer words.
Remember, understanding and using secondary stress correctly can improve your pronunciation and make you sound more fluent and confident.