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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation

WORD STRESS

Hi,

I have a question. What is the rule for stressing the words in noun+noun phrases. For example, "English teacher" would stressed

ENGLISH teacher

or

English TEACHER ?

Which one would mean that this person teaches English, and which of the phrases means he comes from England?

Thank you in advance,

Josh
  

Top answer

It normally falls on the first noun (since the first noun is usually modifying-- that is, defining-- the second), but only context can tell you for sure: A: What's his job? B: He's an ENGlish teacher. A: Eh?

— Mister Micawber

  • It normally falls on the first noun (since the first noun is usually modifying-- that is, defining-- the second), but only context can tell you for sure: A: What's his job?
  • B: He's an ENGlish teacher.
  • A: Eh?
  • What did you say?
  • An ENGlish preacher?
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3 Answers
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It normally falls on the first noun (since the first noun is usually modifying-- that is, defining-- the second), but only context can tell you for sure:

A: What's his job?
B: He's an ENGlish teacher.
A: Eh? What did you say? An ENGlish preacher?
B: No! An English TEACHer!

ENGLISH teacher-- teaches the language
English TEACHER-- comes from Eng
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AnonymousWhat is the rule for stressing the words in noun+noun phrases.
There's a primary stress on the first word of the compound; a secondary stress on the second word.
warlord, horseshoe, snowplow, bread line, coffee pot, fall guy, stage fright
Exceptions: Christmas Eve; Christmas Day, mountain ash, rubber check

If the first
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