Some words don't change their stress pattern when a suffix is addedto the root word, but do change the pronunciation of the vowel in themain stressed syllable. Compare: ex'treme - ex'tremity de'rive - de'rivative /i:/ /e/ /aι/ /ι/
The following table shows a number of possible vowel changes. Themain stressed syllable and the pronunciation of the vowel in thissyllable are shown:
In some words, as well as a change in the pronunciation of the vowelin the stressed syllable, there is also a change in the pronunciationof the consonants) that follow it.
In other words like this, there is a change in the pronunciation ofthe vowel in the stressed syllable and also the spelling of either thisvowel and/or the consonant(s) that follow it.
Words that do change their stress pattern when a suffix is addedto the root also commonly change their pronunciation in one or moresyllable: pro'nounce - pronunci'ation pre'fer - 'preferable /∂/ /au/ /∂/ /Λ/ /ι//з:/ /e//∂/
There are many words like this, and a great variety of pronunciation changes.
Which of these words have main stress on the same syllable as their root word? Write S (Same) or D (Different). Key. Examples: familiarise (S) (fa'miliarise - fa'miliar) cancellation (D) (cancel'lation - 'cancel)
Example: a It costs £10 a year to subscribe to the sports centre. b I've taken out an annual subscription to the magazine. 1 a We'll ___________ the money between us. b Brighton football club was promoted to the frst ___________. 2 a It's diffcult to stay ___________ in business. b He was much faster and I couldn't ___________ with him. 3 a Rod broke his leg in the ___________. b They say the comet is going to ___________ with Saturn. 4 a She set a good ___________ to her younger sister. b Their behaviour was ___________. 5 a The first of May is a ___________ holiday. b Practically the whole ___________ watched the eclipse.
Now listen and check your answers. Then read the sentences aloud.
Write the words from the box in the correct column according to thevowel sound in the main stressed syllable of their root word. There arethree words in each column. Key.