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Difficulty: MediumWord and Syllable Stress

In English phonology, multisyllabic words ending with the suffix '-ity' follow a consistent rule regarding primary accentuation. Which of the following options indicates the correct primary stress placement for the word electricity?

  1. A
    E-lec-tric-i-ty
  2. B
    e-LEC-tric-i-ty
  3. e-lec-TRIC-i-tyAnswer
  4. D
    e-lec-tric-I-ty

Answer

The correct stress pattern for the word 'electricity' is e-lec-TRIC-i-ty, where primary stress falls on the third syllable.
Words ending in '-ity' automatically place primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable (the third syllable from the right end of the word). In 'e-lec-TRIC-i-ty', the antepenultimate syllable is 'TRIC'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the base word and the suffix attached.
The word is 'electricity', formed by adding the suffix '-ity' to 'electric'.
Suffixes in English dictate specific accentual patterns on base words.
2
Apply the stress rule for words ending in '-ity'.
The suffix '-ity' causes the primary stress to shift to the antepenultimate syllable (the third syllable from the end).
In five-syllable words like e-lec-tric-i-ty, counting back three syllables from the end (ty -> i -> TRIC) puts primary stress on 'TRIC'.

Key Concept

Antepenultimate stress placement rule for '-ity' suffixed words
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Word and Syllable Stress

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