Learning English Vocabulary Pronouncing verbs and nouns
Jun 23, 2025
Discover the fascinating world of homographs, where words like 'increase' take on new meanings with different pronunciations. Learn how contextual clues determine whether a word is a noun or a verb. Explore the distinct sounds of words such as 'invite' and 'record' as they transition between forms. The discussion spices up with insights into Sam Smith's popularity and the excitement around concert ticket sales. Test your skills with a fun quiz to solidify your understanding of word stress patterns!
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Stress Shift in Nouns vs Verbs
- Words spelled the same can have different pronunciations when used as nouns or verbs.
- The stress shifts to the first syllable for nouns and the second for verbs.
Lucy on 'Increase' Usage
- Lucy talks about Sam Smith ticket demand increasing and how 'increase' serves as noun and verb with different stress.
- This example shows how pronunciation changes with grammatical use.
Stress Pattern Shift Rules
- Nouns and verbs that share spelling commonly shift stress from the first to second syllable as they change function.
- Examples include 'decrease,' 'invite,' and 'record.'