* English pronunciation is irregular: We don't have a consistent system for stress placement.
* Stress can shift: Some words have different stress depending on their part of speech or whether they are used as a noun or a verb.
Examples:
* First syllable stress: 'table, 'river, 'garden
* Second syllable stress: re'cord, be'lieve, a'dult
To figure out the stress in a two-syllable noun, you'll need to:
* Consult a dictionary: Dictionaries usually mark the stressed syllable.
* Practice and listen: The more you read and listen to English, the more you'll become familiar with common stress patterns.
* Pay attention to context: Sometimes the surrounding words or the meaning of the sentence can help you determine the stress.
Let me know if you want to practice with some specific words!