"alternative stress"

Question

Hi,(1) Is it true that crash (not course) is always stressed in crash course?(2) On the other hand, I understand both "cream cheese" and "cream cheese" are OK.Is there a formal rule that can help me figure out when the stress is fixed in similar phrases and when it is not?mus-te

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

As far as I'm aware these 2 word nouns are called compound nouns and the rule is that you stress the first word .
WHITE board
SOUP spoon
SPORTS car etc
I don't know if there are any exceptions to this rule, I read it in the 'Language Leader Upper Intermediate' teacher's book but I can't find it now to check if it's ALWAYS true .

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Anonymousthese 2 word nouns are called compound nouns and the rule is that you stress the first word

Thank you for your input!
One more question if I may.

Why do you think most AmEng speakers say "ThanksGIVING" (not "THANKSgiving")?
(Some native speakers do say "THANKSgiving" but they are in the minority afaik).

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEWhy do you think most AmEng speakers say "ThanksGIVING" (not "THANKSgiving")?

This may be one of those words the meaning of whose components no longer enters the consciousness of speakers. That is, it's just one word, one series of syllables, that has come to be said that way regardless of the meaning.

(Correct. Those who stress the first syllable seem to be in the minority.)

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITE(1) Is it true that crash (not course) is always stressed in crash course?

Yes. It sounds wrong to me the other way.

MUSCOVITE(2) On the other hand, I understand both "cream cheese" and "cream cheese" are OK.

I always do this one as an exception: cream CHEESE.
________

A. The usual pattern is to stress the first of the two words of a compound.

stargazer, horseshoe, snowplow, bathroom, railroad, babysitter
beach comber, coffee pot, stage fright, rain check, town house

This includes cases where the first word of two is a present participle.

whooping cough, fishing pole, shopping cart, training wheels, looking glass

Some exceptions to A: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, mountain ash, rubber check, cottage cheese, cream cheese, weeping willow
____________

B. Groupings with the stress on the second word include compounds whose first word is an adjective.

private eye, best man, remote control, fast buck, blue moon, hired hand

Groups with an intervening "and" or "or" also take the stress on the last element.

fish and chips, do or die, ham and eggs, hit or miss, lost and found

And abbreviations that are said as a series of letters also take the stress on the last element.

FBI, CBS, TV, KGB, ID, USA, USSR, DVD

Some exceptions to B: long shot, hot flash, White House, French fries
_______________

CJ

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Thank you so much CalifJim!
Your answers/comments on my questions have always been a real treat. Today's answer is no exception!

CalifJimAnd abbreviations that are said as a series of letters also take the stress on the last element.FBI, CBS, TV, KGB, ID, USA, USSR, DVD

Just one point that I'd like you to clarify here.
Does DJ belong to this "category"?
If it does, it must be an exception? (Because it is the first syllable that is emphasized in DJ? am I correct here?)

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITE it is the first syllable that is emphasized in DJ? am I correct here?

Yes, that's right. It's an exception. Good find! I'm going to add it to my notes.

I think most people would say "CJ" as an exception as well.

CJ

Khoff · Answer

As is "TJ" -- in my area, the nickname for Thomas Jefferson High School.

(I didn't go to TJ -- I went to GW.)

CalifJim · Answer

khoffAs is "TJ" -- in my area, the nickname for Thomas Jefferson High School.

Are we onto something here? Are all two-letter abbreviations with a second letter of "J" stressed on the first letter?

How strange that would be.

If so, are there any other letters besides "J" that have this property?

CJ

PS. What about VJ Day? Doesn't J take the stress on that one? (Ignore the fact that we probably don't even have that day anymore.)
PPS. I don't think it's got to do with the initials of a person's name because there's the famous JR of Dallas.

Khoff · Answer

I would guess that in VJ Day the emphasis is on the J to distinguish it from VE Day -- wasn't that also a thing?

CalifJim · Answer

khoffI would guess that in VJ Day the emphasis is on the J to distinguish it from VE Day -- wasn't that also a thing?

I believe it was also a thing.

Who knows? Your guess may be exactly right.

CJ

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