Rules of Word Stress in English

1. 1 Stress on first syllable

rule
example
Most 2-syllable nouns
PRESent, EXport, CHIna, TAble
Most 2-syllable adjectives
PRESent, SLENder, CLEVer, HAPpy

2 Stress on last syllable

rule
example
Most 2-syllable verbs
to preSENT, to exPORT, to deCIDE, to beGIN

3 Stress on penultimate syllable (penultimate = second from end)

rule
example
Words ending in -ic
GRAPHic, geoGRAPHic, geoLOGic
Words ending in -sion and -tion
teleVIsion, reveLAtion

4 Stress on ante-penultimate syllable (ante-penultimate = third from end)

rule
example
Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy and -gy
deMOcracy, dependaBIlity, phoTOgraphy, geOLogy
Words ending in -al
CRItical, geoLOGical

5 Compound words (words with two parts)

rule

example

For compound nouns, the stress is on the first part

BLACKbird, GREENhouse

For compound adjectives, the stress is on the second part

bad-TEMpered, old-FASHioned

For compound verbs, the stress is on the second part