Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumWord and Syllable Stress

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blanks with the correctly stressed syllabified forms of the word 'permit' (with primary stress indicated in UPPERCASE letters) based on its grammatical function in each context.

Answer:The security guard refused to 【per-MIT】 entry to anyone who could not produce a valid written 【PER-mit】.

Answer

The first blank requires the verb form 'per-MIT' (stressed on the second syllable), and the second blank requires the noun form 'PER-mit' (stressed on the first syllable).
In English phonology, many disyllabic words change stress placement depending on their grammatical category. When used as a verb ('to permit'), primary stress falls on the second syllable (per-MIT). When used as a noun ('a permit'), primary stress shifts to the first syllable (PER-mit).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical function of the word in the first blank.
In 'refused to permit entry', the word functions as an infinitive verb.
Two-syllable words that function as verbs typically carry primary stress on the second syllable (per-MIT).
2
Analyze the grammatical function of the word in the second blank.
In 'a valid written permit', the word functions as a noun preceded by modifiers.
Two-syllable disyllabic words that function as nouns typically carry primary stress on the first syllable (PER-mit).

Key Concept

Grammatical category stress shift in disyllabic words (Noun vs. Verb stress rules)
Rate this question

Topics

Word and Syllable Stress

More questions from this topic