answersLogoWhite

0

It is important to stress the correct syllable in English words because:

1) There is a customary way to pronounce words. If you stress syllables that are not normally stressed, or do not stress the syllables that are normally stressed, the hearer may not readily understand what you are saying.

Compare hor-I-zon with HOR-izon, and EM-phasis, with em-PHA-sis!

2) The stress changes the meaning of some words:

Compare desert, desert and dessert!

IF you do not stress the correct syllables you will probably still be understood by most native speakers. However, communication will be so much easier if words are spoken as they are normally spoken, i.e. with the stress on the correctsyllables.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?