2-syllable Word Stress Patterns

The most straightforward syllable stress rules are for 2-syllable nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. Generally speaking, the following is true:

• 2-syllable nouns, adjectives, and adverbs are usually stressed on the first syllable
• 2-syllable verbs are usually stressed on the second syllable

First syllable stress
nouns		adjectives		adverbs
par stu num ent dent ber • •		qui bet bas et ter ic • •		sel may nev dom be er • •

Second syllable stress
verbs
em sus ne brace pend glect • •

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2-syllable Heteronyms

Some words, called heteronyms, have a single spelling, but two different pronunciations. There are a number of 2-syllable words that are stressed on the first syllable when the word is being used as a noun or adjective, and stressed on the the second syllable when it is being used as a verb.

2-syllable heteronyms
nouns/adjectives		verbs
con pro sus tract ject pect • •		con pro sus tract ject pect • •

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