Here's a breakdown:
Word Stress:
* Emphasis: Some syllables within a word are pronounced louder and longer than others.
* Meaning: Stress can help differentiate between words that are spelled similarly but have different meanings. For example, "REcord" (a piece of music) vs "reCORD" (to write something down).
* Rhythm: Stress gives English words their natural rhythm and flow.
Sentence Stress:
* Emphasis: Certain words in a sentence are emphasized to highlight their importance.
* Meaning: Stress helps convey the speaker's intent and focus the listener's attention.
* Intonation: Stress combines with intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) to create different meanings and emotions.
For example:
* "I want to go to the beach." The words "want" and "beach" are emphasized, conveying the speaker's desire.
* "Did you go to the beach?" The words "did" and "go" are emphasized to ask a question.
Learning Stress:
* Dictionaries: Many dictionaries indicate word stress using bold type or a vertical line before the stressed syllable (e.g., "record").
* Practice: Listening to native speakers and paying attention to their pronunciation is essential for improving stress.
* Resources: Online tools and apps can provide practice exercises and feedback on stress patterns.
Mastering stress is a key aspect of speaking English fluently and intelligibly.