present

[ymnisky]

What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'present'?

I feel it has two different pronunciations:
the noun 'present' has the first syllabe 'pre' stressed,
while the verb 'present' (to present) has the second syllabe 'sen' stressed.

Is that true?

[Anglika]

Your feelings are absolutely correct.

[anupumh]

Yes according to the Noun and Verb rule of Syllable Stress, which applies to most of the bisyllabic words, when a word is used as noun or an adjective the stress is on the first syllable and when the word is used as a verb the stress shifts to the second syllable.

Some examples would be...
Object, Subject, Record, Address (though in British English, both have the same pronunciation a-DRESS), Dessert, Purchase, Contract, Conflict, Progress, Permit, etc

Remember when the vowel sounds get changed according to the stress on a syllable. The vowel sound of the destressed syllable is always a shwa or a wet (chinese hat) sound. And the moment stress shifts it changes.

Do you know what is it... Guiness Book of Records or Records..??