This lesson will help you practice pronouncing words with suffixes that change the stress pattern of the root word. These suffixes cause the syllable before the last syllable to receive strong stress. Begin by listening to the audio and repeat the words after the speaker. Then, go through the first section and read the words aloud. Notice that the stress pattern changes for the words with and without the suffix. Next, go through the second section of sentences. Again, the stress pattern changes for the words with or without the suffix. For added practice, record yourself reading the phrases and listen to see if your pronunciation sounds like the audio.

Listen to the audio recording below.

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Suffixes can also cause a change of stress in the root of the word- meaning they cause the stress to shift to the syllable immediately preceding the suffix. Below are some suffixes that cause the stress in the root to shift to the syllable preceding the suffix.

Listen and then practice saying the word with and with out the suffix. Notice the change of stress.

-eous (advantage – advantageous)

-graphy (photo – photography)

-ial (proverb – proverbial)

-cian (music – musician)

-ic (drama – dramatic)

-ical (ecology – ecological)

-ious (labor – laborious)

-ity (reciprocate – reciprocity)

-tion (situate – situation)

Listen and then record the sentences. Focus on the shift of syllable stress.

1. He is a musician who makes music.
2. The politician is in politics because he is very political.
3. The trainer trained the trainee.

More Practice
Try these related pages to help you practice syllable stress for Prefixes and Suffixes:
Syllable Stress for Prefixes and Suffixes Practice A
Syllable Stress for Prefixes and Suffixes Practice B
Syllable Stress for Prefixes and Suffixes Practice C

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