I feel stupid. I honestly can't hear it when I say it.

I've used dictionary reference site to look at the definitions but it says some of the words you said were stressed and my book said were stressed aren't...
Do you think if I called my school's tutors hearing them say it would help?

I promise I'm trying to understand and do it myself, I'm just lost.

I looked at some rules on the also...
and it says before a vowel it isn't stressed, but otherwise it is...
if that was the case wouldn't it be stressed in my first line?

I'm so confused.

Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Because she's on vacation and I can't find your original post, can you explain exactly what you need, or tell me what the original post is listed as, so I can search for it?

P.S. I may have found your original post but I don't understand your question. Which words are concerned about?

Here's a really good webpage that explains poetic meter:

http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/meter.html

Read carefully.

I don't understand accented syllables. Can anyone help me?

I don't get it eather here because it is so confusing if anyone can help i would very much appreciate it any day:)thank you.-Ace

It's completely normal to feel confused when trying to understand stress patterns in English pronunciation. Pronunciation can be tricky, especially when it comes to stress placement. Let's break it down and help you understand how to determine stressed syllables.

Firstly, stress in English refers to the emphasis or prominence given to certain syllables within a word. Stressed syllables are pronounced with greater force, length, and pitch compared to unstressed syllables. Identifying the stressed syllables is crucial for proper pronunciation and understanding spoken English.

Here are some general rules to consider when determining stress patterns in English words:

1. Multi-syllabic words: Stress often falls on one of the syllables in words with multiple syllables. For example, in the word "banana," the stress falls on the second syllable: ba-NA-na.

2. Word type: Different word types have different stress patterns. Nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs can have varying stress patterns. It's important to consult a dictionary or reference material specifically designed for English pronunciation to determine the stress pattern of a particular word.

3. Vowel sounds: Stress placement can be influenced by the vowel sounds in a word. For words with multiple syllables, it's common for the stressed syllable to contain a vowel sound that is considered "long" or "strong." However, this is not a hard and fast rule, and there are exceptions.

Now, to address your specific concerns:

1. Using a dictionary reference site is a great way to get the correct pronunciation and stress patterns of words. However, keep in mind that different dictionaries may have slightly different transcriptions, and some may focus more on specific dialects or accents. It's always good to consult multiple reliable sources.

2. If you have access to school tutors who can help with pronunciation, that can be a valuable resource. Speaking with someone who is knowledgeable in English pronunciation and can provide guidance and practice exercises can be very helpful.

3. Regarding the rule you mentioned about stress placement before a vowel: While it is generally true that unstressed syllables often precede a stressed syllable before a vowel, there are exceptions. English pronunciation can be inconsistent and irregular, and there are many words that do not follow this particular rule. In the case of your first line, "I feel stupid," the stress falls on the first syllable of each word: I FEEL STU-pid.

Remember that learning pronunciation takes time and practice. It's okay to feel confused initially, but with patience and perseverance, you will gradually improve. Keep listening to native speakers, practicing with pronunciation resources, and seeking guidance when needed.