College

In words that can be pronounced two ways, the word is usually a verb when the second syllable is accented.

A. True
B. False

Answer :

Final answer:

The statement is true, as verbs in English often have the second syllable accented, unlike their noun counterparts which typically emphasize the first syllable. Examples include 'record' and 'present', where stress placement indicates their grammatical function. Thus, knowing this stress pattern can help distinguish meanings effectively.


Explanation:

Understanding Word Stress in English

In English, the pronunciation of certain words can change based on the stress pattern, particularly for words that have the same spelling but serve different grammatical functions, known as homographs. For example, the word record can act as a noun (RE-cord) or a verb (re-CORD), showcasing how the position of the syllable stress can alter its meaning. Generally, it is true that in words with two or more syllables, when the second syllable carries the accent, the word is typically a verb.

Examples of Homographs with Different Stresses

  • Present: The first syllable is stressed when it is a noun (PRE-sent), and the second syllable is stressed for the verb (pre-SENT).
  • Produce: Stressed on the first syllable as a noun (PRO-duce) and on the second as a verb (pro-DUCE).

Thus, the statement that "in words that can be pronounced two ways, the word is usually a verb when the second syllable is accented" is True.


Learn more about Syllable Stress in English here:

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