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Candy Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Recess

0 When 'recess' is a noun, is the stress on the first syllable or on the second syllable? 02br
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00I've checked it in my dictionary(Oxford), but I'm confused because the word has two different pronunciations(stress). 02br
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00Thanks for your help in advance. 02br
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00Candy the Confused 0-
  

Top answer

0If your dictionary is the same as mine (01i 00Webster's Collegiate02i 00), then both stress patterns are acceptable. 02br 02br 00As a child, I stressed it on the first syllable; I haven't had much call to say it since then. 0-

— Mister Micawber

  • 0If your dictionary is the same as mine (01i 00Webster's Collegiate02i 00), then both stress patterns are acceptable.
  • 02br 02br 00As a child, I stressed it on the first syllable; I haven't had much call to say it since then.
  • 0-
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7 Answers
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0If your dictionary is the same as mine (01i00Webster's Collegiate02i00), then both stress patterns are acceptable. 02br
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00As a child, I stressed it on the first syllable; I haven't had much call to say it since then. 0-
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0 Thank you for your reply. 02br
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00Both of them are acceptable... thanks, now I don't have to worry about its stress..! 05002br
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00May I ask one more question? 02br
00'Break' and 'recess' - recently I was told by a native English speaker that 'recess' sounds a bit nicer than 'break' when it means 'short period of time between l
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0 As a BrE speaker, I am more accustomed to "break". 0-
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0Seems to be a cross-Pond difference. 'Recess' sounds specific to schools, courts and legislatures to my AmE ears, while 'break' conjures up temporary surcease of labour mental or physical. 0-
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0 Even though alternates are possible, I'd recommend using the normal rule, namely,"Stress the first syllable for a noun, the second syllable for a verb". 02br
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00The court will now reCESS for an hour. 02br
00The court will now take a fifteen-minute REcess. 02br
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00CJ 0-
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0Many, many thanks for answering my question. 05002br
00'Recess' sounds specific to schools, courts and legislatures in AmE. While on the other hand 'break' sounds familiar to BrE speakers. 02br
00Thanks, this is very interesting. 02br
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00Candy 010id1
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0 Hi CalifJim, 02br
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00"Stress the first syllable for a noun, the second syllable for a verb". 02br
00Thanks for your advice......!! 05000 I will!!02br
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00Candy 010id5
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