Mastering the American Accent » Rules for Prefixes

Rules for Prefixes

Sometimes the prefix is stressed and other times it’s not. Prefix + verb combinations usually have second syllable stress.
Here are a few examples: oversleep, overdo, understand, undertake, outlive, outperform, rewrite, redo

However, if the prefix + the root word function as a noun, the first syllable is stressed: oversight, overdose, undertaker, underwear, refill, repeat, outsourcing, outcome

With reflexive pronouns, the last syllable is stressed. Note these common examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves

Study Tip

Practice reading aloud, underlining longer words and determining syllable stress by looking in the dictionary. Your dictionary may come with an audio CD which will help you hear the correct word pronunciation.

Practice with Prefixes

Practice saying the following groups of words with the same prefixes, paying attention to the changes in stress. In the nouns, stress the prefix. In the verbs, stress the root word.

PREFIXPrefix + root word = NOUNPrefix + root word = VERB
Stress the prefixStress the root word
pre–preview, prefixprevent, prepare, predict, precede, prefer, pretend
per–permitperform, persuade, permit
pro–product, process, profit, progress, project, programproduce, protect, propose, project, prolong, profess, promote
mis–mischief, misprint, misfitmisplace, misquote, misread
con–concert, contest, conflict, congress, concept, contentconfess, control, conduct, confuse, confirm, consent, console
com–complex, compoundcompete, complain, compare, compose, compute
ob–objectobserve, obtain, obsess, obscure, obstruct
sub–subject, suburb, subwaysubtract, submit, subscribe
ex–expert, exile, excerptexplain, extract, exhale, excuse, exchange, exceed, exclude, excite
de–detail, defect, decreasedeny, demand, defend
dis–discount, discourse, districtdiscuss, distrust, disturb
a–access, addict, anchoragree, apply, admit, adore, afford, alert, applaud, approve, arrange, attack

Practice Paragraph

Underline the stressed syllables in the highlighted verbs and nouns.

THE PROTEST
The protesters gathered in front of the government building expecting to confront the elected officials. They were protesting the recently uncovered corruption. It is believed that the officials were inside the building discussing the conflict. The crowds threatened to disrupt the meeting. Some workers complained about receiving threats from the protesters. The mayor confirmed that he would conduct an investigation and try to resolve the conflict. The sheriff will assist him to compile all the details of the investigation. The mayor assured the public that he would make an effort to protect the citizens from further corruption.

Favorite Books
4000 Essential English Words 6

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 6: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 5

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 5: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 4

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 4: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 3

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 3: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 2

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 2: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 1

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 1: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
Speak English Like an American

If you already speak some English and now would like to speak more like a native, “Speak English Like an American” will help you. One of the keys to speaking like a native is the ability to use and understand casual expressions, or idioms. American English is full of idioms. Speak English Like an American will help you understand and use idioms better. It contains over 300 of today's most common idioms.

Read more
Table of Contents