Stress and Meaning

Seriously? The way I say a word can actually change what it means?

The English language is full of words that, when said one way, mean one thing, and said another way, mean another thing. These kinds of words are known as homographs.

For example:

increase: The rapid INcrease in population has caused the pollution to inCREASE.

INcrease (noun): An amount by which a quantity becomes larger.

inCREASE (verb): to make or become larger.

insert: This INsert needs to be inSERTed into the newspaper after page 4.

INsert (noun): a promotional or instructive leaflet inserted into a magazine, newspaper, tape or disk package, etc.

inSERT (verb): to put in between, into or inside

insult: He swore it wasn't meant as an INsult, but I certainly felt inSULTed by what he said.

INsult (noun): anything that causes offense by being rude or of an unacceptable quality.

inSULT (verb): to be rude, insensitive or insolent to someone.

invalid: This INvalid claims that I have an inVALid parking permit.

INvalid (noun): a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury

inVALid (adjective) not valid; not legally recognized; not true due to erroneous information or unsound reasoning.

minute: Just a MINute! Are you telling me this minUTE diamond is worth a fortune?

MINute (noun): A unit of time equal to sixty seconds.

miNUTe (adjective): very small.

overlook: Don't overlook the beautiful view you'll get from the overlook at the top of the hill.

overLOOK (verb): fail to notice; to look over and beyond (something) without seeing it.

Overlook (noun): a vista or point that gives a beautiful view.

permit: This PERmit perMITs me to park here.

PERmit (noun): a document that gives someone authorization to do something.

perMIT (verb): to give authorization to do something.

progress: If you want to proGRESS in this company, you will learn that real PROgress happens slowly.

proGRESS (verb): to move, go or proceed forward; to advance toward a better, more complete or more modern condition.

PROgress (noun): movement or advancement toward a destination through a series of events, or points in time; development through time.

record: Please reCORD this conversation. We need an audio REcord of what was said.

When the stress is on the second syllable, "record" is a verb that means to make a recording.

When the stress is on the first syllable, "record" is a noun that means an account of something in writing or some other permanent form.

refuse: I reFUSE to continue to allow you to dump your Refuse on my property.

reFUSE (verb): to decline a request or a demand; to withhold permission.

REfuse (noun): items or materials that have been collectively discarded.

So, remember, pronunciation doesn't just affect how easy it is for people to understand what you're saying, in some cases, it actually could change what you're trying to say into something you may not want to say!

For more examples, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_homographs