[Grammar] Stressed syllables

[vrk]

I am confused about stressed syllables for a course I am taking. Here are four sentences I am working on finding all the stressed syllables in. I underlined what I think are the stressed syllables, but wonder if there are more or if what I underlined is right. Advice would be most helpful. Thank you.

a) I know why he wanted to see you.

b) What’s the time?

c) Don’t forget to turn out the light!

d) It’s another beautiful day today.

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by vrk

I am confused about stressed syllables for a course I am taking. Here are four sentences I am working on finding all the stressed syllables in. I underlined what I think are the stressed syllables, but wonder if there are more or if what I underlined is right. Advice would be most helpful. Thank you.

a) I know why he wanted to see you.

b) What’s the time?

c) Don’t forget to turn out the light!

d) It’s another beautiful day today.

'another' is not a syllable.

You need to distinguish between syllables and words. You have stressed words.

a) I know why he wanted to see you. This sentence could be stressed on any word but 'to', therefore any syllable but 'to' and the 'ed' in 'wanted' - depending on the meaning.
(But we can assume that if a syllable is not stressed in a word, it is not stressed when that word is placed in a sentence).

b) What’s the time? Yes, or What’s the time?

Here's how I might stress these two:
c) Don’t forget to turn out the light!

d) It’s another beautiful day today.[/quote]

[vrk]

Those tips were helpful I find distinguishing stressed syllables in sentences irritatingly difficult and confusing. I try clapping, humming ... can't figure it out which are unstressed/stressed though.

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by vrk

Those tips were helpful I find distinguishing stressed syllables in sentences irritatingly difficult and confusing. I try clapping, humming ... can't figure it out which are unstressed/stressed though.

You're probably not missing much, unless you have your heart set on being a drummer.