Stress Patterns
3-Syllable Words
Pattern
In words of 3 or more syllables, stress usually falls
on the syllable immediately before the suffix.
The chart below shows exceptions to this pattern.
Stress falls on the suffix. |
Stress falls 2 syllables before the suffix. |
---|---|
-ee | -ate |
employée referée refugée |
verbs to appréciate to inítiate to óperate nouns, adjectives certíficate délicate |
-eer | -ize |
auctionéer enginéer voluntéer |
verbs to apólogize to áuthorize to récognize |
exceptions -ee |
|
commíttee |