Word-stress on 3 syllable words on the first syllable - SS3 English Lesson Note

General rule: In three-syllable words, the stress is usually on the first syllable. This is true for most nouns, adjectives, and verbs. For example:

Nouns: policy, monitor, embassy, argument, interim, analyst, abdomen

Adjectives: political, monitored, embassy, argumentative, interim, analytical, abdominal

Verbs: monitor, argue, analyze, abdomen

Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the first syllable is unaccented or when the second syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong. For example:

Nouns: machine, balloon, horizon, museum

Adjectives: human, final, casual, official

Verbs: refer, control, prefer, object

How to determine the stress: The easiest way to determine the stress of a three-syllable word is to listen to a native speaker pronounce it. You can also look up the word in a dictionary, which will usually indicate the stress in the pronunciation guide.

Importance of stress: Stress is an important part of English pronunciation. It helps to distinguish between words that sound similar, such as "policy" and "po-li-cy." It also helps to convey meaning, such as in the case of the verb "refer" and the noun "refer-ence."

Examples of 3-syllable words with stress on the first syllable:

Nouns: apology, committee, dictionary, opportunity, university.

Adjectives: economical, historical, mathematical, scientific, technical . 

Verbs: apologize, communicate,demonstrate, educate, investigate.