Oral English: Syllable Stress, Monophthongs & Diphthongs 🗣️

### Stress makes words intelligible! In English, one syllable in every multi-syllable word is pronounced with **greater breath force, higher pitch, and longer duration**. That syllable has **PRIMARY STRESS**. #### The Noun vs Verb Stress Rule: Many two-syllable English words change meaning based on stress: * **Noun**: Stressed on the **FIRST syllable**! * **PRE-sent** (a gift 🎁) * **RE-cord** (a vinyl disc or file 📁) * **EX-port** (goods sent abroad 🚢) * **Verb**: Stressed on the **SECOND syllable**! * pre-**SENT** (to give an award 🏆) * re-**CORD** (to tape audio 🎙️) * ex-**PORT** (to sell goods abroad 🌍)