how do you know a stressed or unstressed syllable
You can either hear it or you can check a dictionary.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dictionary
Look at the entry for the word "dictionary" -- do you see the word itself divided into syllables? Right under that, in brackets, is the pronunciation. Notice that the first syllable is in bold while the others aren't. That means that the first syllable is stressed.
This is how this particular dictionary indicates stressed syllables. Other dictionaries may do something different.
comfortable
how tol lovehje
To determine whether a syllable is stressed or unstressed, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand syllables: A syllable is a unit of sound that consists of one vowel sound (or a vowel sound with consonant(s) before or after it). For example, the word "apple" has two syllables: "ap-ple".
2. Listen to the word: Pronounce the word or phrase you want to analyze. Pay attention to how your voice rises or falls on certain syllables as you naturally speak it. Stress refers to the emphasis or prominence placed on a particular syllable in a word.
3. Identify patterns: English words often follow specific stress patterns. Here are a few general rules to consider:
- Words with two or more syllables often have one stressed syllable. For example, "ba-NAN-a" or "des-IGN".
- Unstressed syllables are typically weaker and quieter than stressed syllables. For example, in the word "ca-RO-tene," the first syllable ("ca") is stressed, while the other two syllables ("RO" and "tene") are unstressed.
- Certain prefixes and suffixes tend to carry stress. For example, the prefix "re-" is usually unstressed (e.g., "re-SUME"), while the suffix "-ic" is typically stressed (e.g., "eco-NOM-ic").
4. Consult dictionaries or references: If you're unsure about the stress pattern of a specific word, you can consult a dictionary or an online resource. Dictionaries often indicate the stressed syllable by placing a stress mark (') before or after it. For instance, "hu'man" or "en-ter-'tain-ment".
Remember that stress patterns can vary depending on different dialects and accents in English. Listening to native speakers and practicing pronunciation will improve your ability to identify stressed and unstressed syllables accurately.