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Difficulty: EasyWord and Syllable Stress

In English phonology, four-syllable verbs ending with the suffix '-ate' follow specific accentuation rules. Which of the following options correctly indicates the primary syllable stress placement for the word 'investigate'?

  1. in-VES-ti-gateAnswer
  2. B
    IN-ves-ti-gate
  3. C
    in-ves-TI-gate
  4. D
    in-ves-ti-GATE

Answer

The correct stress placement is in-VES-ti-gate.
The word 'investigate' contains four syllables (in-ves-ti-gate). English stress rules dictate that four-syllable verbs ending in '-ate' take primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable (third from the end). Therefore, the second syllable 'VES' carries the primary stress.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the syllabification and suffix of the word 'investigate'.
The word consists of four syllables: in-ves-ti-gate.
Identifying the syllable breakdown and suffix is essential for applying stress assignment rules.
2
Apply the primary stress rule for four-syllable verbs ending in '-ate'.
Primary stress is assigned to the antepenultimate syllable, resulting in in-VES-ti-gate.
Multisyllabic verbs ending in '-ate' receive primary stress on the third syllable from the end.

Key Concept

Stress placement on antepenultimate syllable in multisyllabic words ending in '-ate'
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Topics

Word and Syllable Stress

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