03-Book03+Teaching+your+Tongue+&+Speech+Rhythm Unlocked

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Kev Nair
Teaching your tongue & Speech Rhythm
Prof. Kev Nair was born in Kerala, South India, in 1949.

He’s an eminent scholar of international repute. He’s a first
class LL.B. and a first class LL.M. And he was ranked first in
university in both the LL. B. and LL. M. exams.
• “Nair was the first person in the world to give shape to the
area of study now known as ‘English fluency development’
and to systematize it into a distinct teachable subject... So
he is better known as the father of fluency development.”
– General Knowledge Today.
• “He had been researching since 1971, and the results... led
him to new discoveries... ”
– THE HINDU.
• “Prof. Kev Nair is regarded the world over as the father
of fluency lexicography... Fluency lexicography came into
existence as a separate branch of dictionary writing with
the publication of Prof. Nair’s Dictionary of Active Fluency
Combinations in 1986.”
– Competition Success Review.
• “A renowned English language lexicographer”
– The New Sunday Express.
• “One of the world’s most respected English language
scholars...Perhaps more innovative in method than Roget
and more modern in approach than Fowler, Prof. Kev Nair
is... one of the foremost Indian scholars who wield great
influence on the thinking of the English-educated people
around the world.”
– General Knowledge Today.
• “A towering English language expert”
– Competition Success Review.
• “Prof. Kev Nair... has... reached out to thousands – judicial
officers, professionals, top executives, scholars – who
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need that comfort and ease in speech with his specialised

fluency techniques.”
– The New Indian Express.
Prof. Nair is a lawyer by profession. He lives with his wife and
children in Kochi, Kerala, an enchanting place on the earth.
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Fluent English Dictionaries1 by Kev Nair

• A Dictionary of Active Fluency Combinations.
• A Dictionary of Fluency Word Clusters.
• The Complete Fluency Words.
• A Dictionary of Essential Fluency Phrases.
• Core Fluency Thesaurus.
• Comprehensive Adjectival Fluency Dictionary.
• Narrative Fluency Dictionary.
• Thesaurus of Phrasal Verbs.
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Note: The Fluent English Dictionaries do not form part of Fluentzy: The
English Fluency Encyclopedia. They’re separate publications – meant for those
who want to specialize in fluency-oriented vocabulary. For details, visit www.
fluencybookz.com.
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Books by Kev Nair making up

Fluentzy: The English Fluency Encyclopedia
• B1: Idea units & Fluency.
• B2: Speech Generation & Flow Production.
• B3: Teaching your Tongue & Speech Rhythm.
• B4: Key Speech-initiators & Speech-unit Patterns.
• S1/B13 & S2/B14: Fluency in Functional English (Vols. 1 & 2).
• S3/B15: Fluency in Telephone English & Sectoral English.
• B5: How to Deal with Hesitation.
• B6: Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary (Vol.1).
• B7: Packing of Information.
• B8: Impromptu Speech-flow Techniques.
• S4/B16: Fluency Building & Mouth Gymnastics.
• S5/B17: Fluency in speaking about people.
• B9: Fluency in Asking Questions.
• B11: Fluency & Moment-to-Moment Speech-production.
• S6/B18 & S7/B19: Fluency in Topicwise English (Vols. 1 & 2).
• S8/B20: Fluency & Pronunciation.
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B3
Teaching your Tongue

& Speech Rhythm
“How speakers can train their speech organs
and achieve the characteristic English speech
rhythm.” – THE HINDU.
Fifth Edition
Prof. Kev Nair
TM
TM
Adult Faculties Council
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For Uma
teaching your tongue & speech rhythm.

Copyright © Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair 1982, 1988, 1995, 2000, 2008.
First published 1982.
4th edition 2000 (17 impressions).
5th edition 2008.
Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair has asserted his right to be identified as the
author of this book in accordance with the Copyright Act, 1957.
All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this book shall be copied or
reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or
manner whatever, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission, in writing, of the
publisher, except in the case of brief quotations or as expressly permitted
by law.
All quotations from this book shall credit the author, Prof. KevNair.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade
or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form
of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, and without a
similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on any acquirer
or the subsequent purchaser.
Any violation of these terms and conditions will invite civil and criminal
proceedings and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Published in India by Mrs. Uma V. Nair, Adult Faculties Council, DP Lane,
Elamakkara PO, Kochi-682 026, Kerala.
Printed in India by Ayodhya Printers Ltd., Elamakkara PO, Kochi-682 026,
Kerala.
Adult Faculties Council’s websites:
www.fluentzy.com; www.fluencybookz.com.
Phone: (91)(0484) 2538449, 2408361.
Fax: (91)(0484) 2408361.
E-mail: info@fluentzy.com.
Price: Rs.175.00
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Contents
Chapter 1: ‘Teaching’ your ‘tongue’, 11
Important principles of description, 11
Descriptive principle 1, 11
The way to teach your tongue, 14
Drill 1, 14
Drill 2, 15
Drill 3, 16
Drill 4, 16
Drill 5, 17
Word List 1: Irregular verbs, 18
Word List 2: Regular verbs, 19
Two exercises, 22
Chapter 2: Rhythm and flow of speech, 23

The syllable, 23
Two groups of words, 24
The way the English language flows, 24
The way non-English languages flow, 26
1) Uniform stress, 26
2) Uniform time distribution, 27
Let English flow the way English should flow, 27

Up and down movement, 28
Syllable stress, 29
1) Polysyllabic words, 29
2) Monosyllabic words, 30
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List A: Weak function words, 31

“Schwa”, 32
List B: Neutral function words, 33
Guidelines, 34
Limited freedom, 37
Shortened forms, 38
Chapter 3: Foot and rhythm, 43

The fundamental principle of English rhythm, 44
Beating the rhythm, 45
Two special cases, 47
1) The silent stress, 47
2) Unstressed syllables at the beginning of ‘words’, 48
Speed of speech, 49
Chapter 4: Frequently-used polysyllabic words, 51

Alphabetical Lists, 52
Chapter 5: Stresswise list of polysyllabic words, 71

Stress-exaggeration Exercise, 94
Chapter 6: Do words stop on the tip of your tongue?,

96
Chapter 7: Questions for Practice, 106
Importance of the drill with word groups, 110
Two Important exercises, 112
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Preface to the 5th edition
Here’s the latest edition of this book.

I have now added some new material covering the topic “Do
words stop on the tip of your tongue?”.
Do you have any comments and suggestions? Please do write to
me care of the publishers.
KEV Nair,
Kochi, 2008.
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Abbreviations
fml formal
infml informal
sb somebody
sth something
sw somewhere
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chapter 1
‘Teaching’ your ‘tongue’

There are certain principles of the English language that you’ll
have to teach your tongue (and other organs of speech). These
are principles that’ll help you ‘describe’ your ideas in English. So
let’s call them “principles of description”. Of course, these are
elementary principles. And you know them all. But does your
tongue know them?
Mind you, there’s one thing about a language you aren’t
fluent in. You may know several words and principles in that
language. But not your tongue! That’s why many people can’t
speak fluent English —even after years of experience in written
English. Of course, even a X-standard student would have learnt
the principles we’re going to look at. But experience has shown
one thing: When they try to say more than two or three idea
units at a stretch, even post-graduates get mixed up about these
principles. And, in their confusion, they falter.
Of course, when they limit themselves to one or two idea
units, these problems may not happen. But when they try to go
beyond that and try to speak continuously, then the trouble begins.
This is not because they haven’t got the principles straight. This is
because their tongues haven’t got the principles straight.
Important Principles of description

Descriptive principle 1
There are certain function words in English that always keep
company with one another. Here they are, classed into six
groups:
(a) I/We/You/They/Plural (people or things) + don’t…
(NOT “doesn’t”)
12 ‘Teaching’ your ‘ tongue’
That is, you should only say “I don’t…”, “We don’t…”,

“You don’t…”, “They don’t…”, “Apples don’t…”, etc., and
not “I doesn’t…”, “We doesn’t…”, “You doesn’t…”, “They
doesn’t…”, “Apples doesn’t…”, etc.
(b) He/She/It/Singulars (A person or thing) + doesn’t…
(NOT “don’t”)
That is, you should only say “He doesn’t…”, “She
doesn’t…”, “It doesn’t…”, “An apple doesn’t…”, etc., and
not “He don’t…”, “She don’t…”, “It don’t…”, “An apple
don’t…”, etc.
(c) All the words at (a) & (b) above: I/We/You/They/Plural
(people or things)/He/She/It/Singulars (A person or thing) +
didn’t…
That is, you can say “I didn’t…”, “We didn’t…”, “You
didn’t…”, “They didn’t…”, “Apples didn’t…”, etc., and “He
didn’t…”, “She didn’t…”, “It didn’t…”, “An apple didn’t…”,
etc.
(d) I/We/You/They/Plural (people or things) + have… /
haven’t... (NOT ‘has’ or ‘hasn’t’)
That is, you should only say “I have/haven’t…”, “We have/
haven’t…”, “You have/haven’t…”, “They have/haven’t…”,
“Apples have/haven’t…”, etc., and not “I has/hasn’t…”, “We
has/hasn’t…”, “You has/hasn’t…”, “They has/hasn’t…”,
“Apples has/hasn’t…”, etc.
(e) He/She/It/Singulars (A person or thing) + has... /
hasn’t… (NOT ‘have’ or ‘haven’t’)
That is, you should only say “He has/hasn’t…”, “She has/
hasn’t…”, “It has/hasn’t…”, “An apple has/hasn’t…”, etc.,
and not “He have/haven’t…”, “She have/haven’t…”, “It
have/haven’t…”, “An apple have/haven’t…”, etc.
(f) All the words at (d) & (e) above: I/We/You/They/Plural
(people or things)/He/She/It/Singulars (A person or thing) +
had... /hadn’t…
‘Teaching’ your ‘ tongue’ 13
That is, you can say “I had/hadn’t…”, “We had/hadn’t …”,

“You had/hadn’t …”, “They had/hadn’t …”, “Apples had/
hadn’t …”, etc., and “He had/hadn’t …”, “She had/hadn’t
…”, “It had/hadn’t …”, “An apple had/hadn’t …”, etc.
After “didn’t”, you should only use the basic form (= infinitive)
of verbs, and not past tense forms. That is, you should say —
• I didn’t know. • He didn’t like it. • She didn’t speak
French. • It didn’t happen often. • We didn’t buy things
from them. • They didn’t worry about things like that. •
The car didn’t start.
You shouldn’t say —
• I didn’t knew. • He didn’t liked it. • She didn’t spoke
French. • It didn’t happened often. • We didn’t bought
things from them. • They didn’t worried about things like
that. • The car didn’t started.
The same rule applies to “doesn’t” and “don’t” also. That is,
you should say—
• I don’t know. • He doesn’t like it. • She doesn’t speak
French. • It doesn’t happen often. • We don’t buy things
from them. • They don’t worry about things like that. • The
car doesn’t start.
You shouldn’t say—
• I don’t knew. • He doesn’t liked it. • She doesn’t spoke
French. • It doesn’t happened often. • We don’t bought
things from them. • They don’t worried about things like
that. • The car doesn’t started.
After “has”, “hasn’t”, “haven’t”, “had”, and “hadn’t”, you should
only use past participles, and not past tense forms or the basic
forms (infinitive). That is, you should say —

• I have/haven’t forgotten it. • I had/hadn’t done it. • He
has/hasn’t seen it. • He had/hadn’t stolen it. • She has/
hasn’t written it down. • She had/hadn’t hidden it from
them. • We have/haven’t given it to them. • We had/hadn’t
eaten it. • They have/haven’t spoken to her. • They had/
hadn’t taken it away. • The show has/hasn’t begun. • The
show had/hadn’t begun.
You shouldn’t say —
• I have/haven’t forgot it. • I had/hadn’t did it. • He has/
hasn’t saw it. • He had/hadn’t stole it. • She has/hasn’t
wrote it down. • She had/hadn’t hid it from them. • We
have/haven’t gave it to them. • We had/hadn’t ate it. •
They have/haven’t spoke to her. • They had/hadn’t took
it away. • The show has/hasn’t began. • The show had/
hadn’t began.
The way to teach your tongue

Now understand one thing: There is no use in learning to repeat
these principles by heart. The thing you must do now is this: You
must get your tongue to ‘learn’ them. In other words, you must
‘teach’ your tongue.
This can only be done if you give ‘training’ to your tongue.
That is, you must get your tongue into the habit of saying “don’t”
along with ‘I’, “doesn’t” along with ‘he’, “has” along with ‘she’, etc.
This can easily be done through the following kinds of practice:
Drill 1
Look at descriptive principle no. 1.
• Say “I don’t …”, “We don’t…”, etc. — ALOUD.
• Say “He doesn’t…”, “She doesn’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.
• Say “I didn’t…”, “We didn’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.
• Say “I have…”, “I haven’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.
• Say “He has…”, “He hasn’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.

• Say “I had…”, “I hadn’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.
NOTE: Repeat each several times. Of course, you know these rules.
Still you must carry out this drill. Remember this: The purpose of
this drill is to get your tongue and other organs of speech to get
into the habit of associating certain words together.
Drill 2
Look at descriptive principle no. 2. Now look at Word List 1 given
below. This is a list of (3-word sets of) the most useful irregular
verbs. In each set, there are 3 words. The first word is the basic
form (= infinitive) of a verb, the second word is the past tense
form of that verb, and the third word is its past participle.
Go through each set, and pick up the basic form (the first
word in the 3-word set) in each. Now say like this:
didn’t bet, didn’t burst, didn’t cost, didn’t dig, didn’t fling,
didn’t begin, didn’t drink, didn’t creep, didn’t keep, didn’t
drive, didn’t ride…
Go on in this way, till you get to the end of the list (Word
List 1).
Repeat the practice by replacing “didn’t” with “doesn’t”:
doesn’t bet, doesn’t burst, doesn’t cost, doesn’t dig, doesn’t
fling, doesn’t begin, doesn’t drink, doesn’t creep, doesn’t
keep, doesn’t drive, doesn’t ride…
List 1).
Now repeat the practice by replacing “doesn’t” with “don’t”:
don’t bet, don’t burst, don’t cost, don’t dig, don’t fling, don’t
begin, don’t drink, don’t creep, don’t keep, don’t drive,
don’t ride…
List 1).
Drill 3
below. This is a list of the most useful regular verbs. As in List 1,
here too, each word has a basic form (infinitive), past tense form
and past participle form.
Go through the list (Word List 2), and pick up the basic form
of each verb. Now say like this:
didn’t possess, didn’t bless, didn’t produce, didn’t increase,
didn’t force, didn’t finish, didn’t escape, didn’t look, didn’t
park, didn’t ache, didn’t walk…
List 2).
Now repeat the practice by replacing “didn’t” with
“doesn’t”:
doesn’t possess, doesn’t bless, doesn’t produce, doesn’t
increase, doesn’t force, doesn’t finish, doesn’t escape,
doesn’t look, doesn’t park, doesn’t ache, doesn’t walk…
List 2).
Now repeat the practice by replacing “doesn’t” with “don’t”:
don’t possess, don’t bless, don’t produce, don’t increase,
don’t force, don’t finish, don’t escape, don’t look, don’t
park, don’t ache, don’t walk…
List 2).
Drill 4
below once again.
Go through each of the 3-word sets, and pick up the third
word in each set. (The third word is the past participle). Now
say like this:
has bet, hasn’t bet, have bet, haven’t bet, had bet, hadn’t
bet.
has burst, hasn’t burst, have burst, haven’t burst, had burst,
hadn’t burst.
has cost, hasn’t cost, have cost, haven’t cost, had cost,
hadn’t cost.
has dug, hasn’t dug, have dug, haven’t dug, had dug, hadn’t
dug.
has flung, hasn’t flung, have flung, haven’t flung, had flung,
hadn’t flung.
has begun, hasn’t begun, have begun, haven’t begun, had
begun, hadn’t begun.
has drunk, hasn’t drunk, have drunk, haven’t drunk, had
drunk, hadn’t drunk.
has crept, hasn’t crept, have crept, haven’t crept, had crept,
hadn’t crept.
has kept, hasn’t kept, have kept, haven’t kept, had kept,
hadn’t kept.
Go on in this way till you get to the end of the list (Word
List 2).
Drill 5
below. As I’ve already told you, this is a list of the most useful
‘regular’ verbs. As in List 1, here too, each word has a basic form
(infinitive), past tense form and past participle form.
Go through the list (Word List 2), and pick up each word.
Now say like this:
• has produced, hasn’t produced, have produced, haven’t
produced, had produced, hadn’t produced. • has burst,
hasn’t burst, have burst, haven’t burst, had burst, hadn’t
burst. • has increased, hasn’t increased, have increased,
haven’t increased, had increased, hadn’t increased. • has
finished, hasn’t finished, have finished, haven’t finished,
had finished, hadn’t finished. • has escaped, hasn’t escaped,

have escaped, haven’t escaped, had escaped, hadn’t
escaped. • has looked, hasn’t looked, have looked, haven’t
looked, had looked, hadn’t looked. • has parked, hasn’t
parked, have parked, haven’t parked, had parked, hadn’t
parked. • has marked, hasn’t marked, have marked, haven’t
marked, had marked, hadn’t marked. • has stopped, hasn’t
stopped, have stopped, haven’t stopped, had stopped,
hadn’t stopped.
Go on in this way till you get to the end of the list (Word
List 2).
Word Lists
Word List 1: Irregular verbs

Here’s a list containing the Basic form, Past Tense and Past
Participle of the most-frequently-used ‘irregular’ action words.
• bet, bet, bet. • burst, burst, burst. • cost, cost, cost. •
cut, cut, cut. • hit, hit, hit. • hurt, hurt, hurt. • let, let, let.
• put, put, put. • set, set, set. • shut, shut, shut. • spread,
spread, spread. • split, split, split. • upset, upset, upset.
• dig, dug, dug. • fling, flung, flung • spin, spun, spun. •
stick, stuck, stuck. • sting, stung, stung. • swing, swung,
swung. • win, won, won. • wring, wrung, wrung. • bleed,
bled, bled. • breed, bred, bred. • feed, fed, fed. • lead, led,
led. • meet, met, met. • read, read, read. • speed, sped,
sped. • bind, bound, bound. • find, found, found. • grind,
ground, ground. • wind, wound, wound. • sit, sat, sat.
• spit, spat, spat. • fight, fought, fought. • strike, struck,
struck. • get, got, got. • hang, hung, hung. • hang, hanged,
hanged. • hold, held, held. • light, lit, lit. • slide, slid, slid.
• shoot, shot, shot. • shine, shone, shone. • stand, stood,
stood. • understand, understood, understood. • teach,
taught, taught. • catch, caught, caught. • make, made,
made. • bring, brought, brought. • think, thought, thought

• creep, crept, crept. • keep, kept, kept. • leap, leapt, leapt.
• sweep, swept, swept. • sleep, slept, slept. • weep, wept,
wept. • flee, fled, fled. • hear, heard, heard. • say, said,
said. • sell, sold, sold. • tell, told, told. • lean, leant, leant.
• mean, meant, meant. • buy, bought, bought. • leave, left,
left. • lose, lost, lost. • deal, dealt, dealt. • dream, dreamt,
dreamt. • feel, felt, felt. • kneel, knelt, knelt.
• begin, began, begun. • drink, drank, drunk. • ring, rang,
rung. • shrink, shrank, shrunk. • sing, sang, sung. • sink,
sank, sunk. • spring, sprang, sprung. • stink, stank, stunk.
• swim, swam, swum.
• drive, drove, driven. • ride, rode, ridden. • rise, rose,
risen. • write, wrote, written. • fly, flew, flown. • blow,
blew, blown. • grow, grew, grown. • know, knew, known.
• throw, threw, thrown. • draw, drew, drawn. • fall, fell,
fallen. • shake, shook, shaken. • take, took, taken. • see,
saw, seen. • eat, ate, eaten. • forbid, forbade, forbidden.
• forgive, forgave, forgiven. • give, gave, given. • swell,
swelled, swollen. • freeze, froze, frozen. • speak, spoke,
spoken. • steal, stole, stolen. • weave, wove, woven. •
forget, forgot, forgotten. • break, broke, broken. • wake,
woke, woken. • swear, swore, sworn. • tear, tore, torn. •
lie, lay, lain. • choose, chose, chosen. • bite, bit, bitten. •
hide, hid, hidden.
Word List 2: Regular verbs

Here are a few 3-word sets of ‘regular’ action words. In each set,
there are 3 words. The first word is the basic form (= infinitive)
of a verb, the second word is the past tense form of that verb, and
the third word is its past participle:
• Possess, possessed, possessed. • bless, blessed, blessed.
• produce, produced, produced. • increase, increased,
increased. • force, forced, forced. • finish, finished,
finished.
Below, you’ll find a list containing other most useful verbs
(= action words) in this category. In this list, I’ve only given the
basic form of the words. You can easily form the past tense and
past participle forms of these verbs by adding ‘d’ or ‘ed’ at the
ends.
E.g. • escape, escaped, escaped. • look, looked, looked. • park,
parked, parked. • ache, ached, ached. • walk, walked, walked.
Here we go for the words:
escape, look, park, ache, walk, cough, laugh, mark, stop,
help, pick, develop, talk, ask, work, hope, attack, jump,
slip, drop, furnish, notice, press, wash, fix, reduce, express,
address, cross, touch, wish, miss, polish, base, dress, pass,
introduce, place, advance, stretch, promise, rush, practise,
watch, push, reach, heap, milk, guess, rejoice, search,
thank, whip, dip, hook, mix, risk, such, rap, worship,
influence, bake, photograph, shock, tax, crack, joke, block,
shop, trick, kick, branch, step, decrease, flash, lack, brush,
punish, wrap, excuse, dance, like, camp, pump, slope,
stamp, pack, curse, lock, chase, prick, race, smoke, stick,
crash, march, cease, pronounce, wreck, nurse, establish,
fish, match.
mend, defend, hand, surround, afford, demand, regard,
provide, depend, crowd, wound, descend, remind, intend,
need, yield, record, divide, sound, add, avoid, succeed,
attend, land, decide, command, include, load, mind, flood,
guide, shade, reward, pretend, scold, persuade, offend,
fade, fold, end, explode, shield.
surprise, use, cause, confuse, enclose, pause, praise,
manage, arrange, advise, please, raise, suppose, close,
changed, amuse, oppose, seize, charge, urge, advertise,
exercise, recognize, encourage, civilize, toss, judge, refuse.
operate, point, suspect, doubt, suggest, note, test, admit,
paint, elect, act, knot, invite, hate, hunt, invent, heat,
interest, interrupt, instruct, infect, greet, float, comfort,

feast, consist, delight, educate, desert, disappoint, excite,
cheat, plant, pilot, ornament, respect, rent, fit, visit,
appoint, separate, repeat, defeat, present, vote, exist,
account, report, permit, treat, support, expect, shout, print,
relate, prevent, attempt, direct, want, represent, post,
complete, connect, accept, rest, request, part, collect, lift,
count, result, attract, start, seat, taste, trust, suit, twist,
unite, waste, last, state, protect, wait, limit.
breathe, annoy, bury, rub, share, combine, seem, deliver,
govern, accustom, sign, scatter, tire, return, admire, smile,
colour, cry, love, roll, declare, cloth, stay, beg, aim, struggle,
concern, settle, agree, study, carry, describe, complain,
boil, suffer, serve, train, deserve, approve, supply, cheer,
control, destroy, clean, claim, save, cover, tie, belong, travel,
believe, answer, gather, determine, borrow, try, explain,
sail, compare, turn, behave, allow, order, die, own, climb,
follow, weigh, arm, fill, discover, gain, welcome, arrive,
care, argue, contain, enter, mention, blame, wonder, play,
consider, join, bill, curve, film, free, mail, conquer, poison,
rain, question, chain, row, wave, pile, grieve, harm, obey,
decay, drag, reason, hire, repair, prepare, murder, delay,
exchange, fasten, owe, enjoy, fail, live, flow, wander, call,
continue, earn, clear, warn, form, employ, fear, handle,
preserve, listen, remember, name, receive, happen, retire,
imagine, open, improve, perform, move, pour, remain,
inform, plan, measure, prove, nail, pull, screw, overflow,
steam, vary, worry, kill, hasten, matter, dry, deceive, button,
fancy, appear, border, comb, warm, bridge, quarrel, remove,
signal, curl, dare, hurry, favour, fulfill, copy, discourage,
drown, cure, fire, enquire, marry, lodge, flame, offer, satisfy,
whistle, inquire, slow, pin, rob, form, hammer, examine,
tidy, bar, damage, lower, oil, pity, shelter, tower, tow,
tremble, store, whisper, reply, telephone, charm, desire,
obtain, trouble, swallow.
Two exercises
1). I’ve listed the words in a mixed-up way, and not in their
alphabetical order. Pick up a pencil, and a few sheets of
paper. Arrange the words in the alphabetical order. Don’t
think that this is a boring task. You’ll find this work really
challenging and interesting. Once you get started, you’ll
really enjoy doing this. And once you’ve finished this
exercise, you’ll find that all the words in the lists have really
got into your mind. You’ll find that the words have left a
sort of ‘photographic’ impression in your mind. This is an
excellent exercise for getting words to come to the tip of
your tongue instantly.
2). Whether you know the meaning of these words or not,
you MUST do one other thing. Look up their meanings in
your dictionary. Look up the meanings of ALL these words.
You needn’t complete this work all at once. Take up a few
words everyday. And you needn’t learn to say the meanings
by heart. No. That’s not at all necessary.
***
Rhy thm and flow of speech 23
chapter 2
Rhythm and flow of speech

We’re now going to take up an important topic. The technique
that you’re now going to learn — it’s going to bring about a
revolutionary change in the nature of your speech-flow. Yes, a
revolutionary change.
I’ll first explain certain basic principles, and then show you
how you can employ those principles to get your speech to flow
steadily. In the later Books in this series, I’ll give you collections
of selected word groups, so you can get intensive practice in
these principles.
Read through the explanations carefully. It’s important that
you must have a firm theoretical knowledge of this topic. And the
practice material would give you the training you need.
The syllable
The English language is a semi-musical language. This is
because when native speakers of English speak, the syllables in
the words they use come out with a semi-musical rhythm, and
not at a flat pitch. (You know, pitch is the degree to which a sound
is high or low). If you want to speak English with native-speaker-
like fluency, you’ll have to master the mechanics of this English
rhythm. And the first step towards achieving this aim is to learn
about syllable stress.
You know, a syllable is a unit of sound that contains a vowel.
For example, the word ‘father’ contains two syllables ‘fa’ and ‘ther’.
The word ‘necessary’ contains four syllables ‘ne’, ‘ces’, ‘sa’, and
‘ry’. On the other hand, the word ‘cut’ contains only one syllable
‘cut’. The word ‘then’ contains only one syllable ‘then’. So we can
say that a syllable is a whole word or part of a word that contains
a vowel. It is the vowel that is the ‘nucleus’ of a syllable.
24 Rhy thm and flow of speech
Two groups of words

In general, words in English can be classed into two groups:
• Words that only have a single syllable. They’re called
monosyllabic words.
E.g. bus, his, how, give, grow, bring, etc.
• Words that have more than one syllable. They’re called
polysyllabic words.
E.g. below, answer, however, greater, biggest, etc.
The way the English language flows

When a native speaker of English speaks, the degree of the
sounds of the syllables keeps varying between high and low.
And so when native speakers of English speaks, certain syllables
alone stand out from the rest and they can be heard more clearly.
They pronounce these key syllables alone distinctly. And they
pronounce the rest of the syllables comparatively quickly (and
at a lower pitch and in a less clear way) in between these key
syllables.
You can always notice five things when they speak:
1) Not all syllables in a word group are stressed. Only one
or two are. The rest are left unstressed. So the syllables
that are stressed come out more loudly and clearly than
the other syllables in that word group.
2) The syllables that are stressed are normally: (i) A syllable
that is conventionally labelled as a ‘stressed’ syllable in a
polysyllabic word (polysyllabic content word as well as
polysyllabic function word); and (ii) The sole syllable in
a monosyllabic content word.
3) The syllables that are stressed are pronounced more
slowly than syllables that are not stressed. And so they
get the full amount of time they need. But the syllables
that are not stressed are said very quickly. And so they
don’t get the full amount of time they need. So sometimes
hearers even get the impression that some syllables are
drawn out, while the remaining syllables are slurred.
(Now bear this in mind: This is not a defect, but a
distinctive feature of English speech. And this is how you
should speak English if you want to speak it with native-
speaker-like fluency).
4) The time spent in pronouncing a stressed syllable
in a word is often not the same as the time spent in
pronouncing a stressed syllable in another word (in the
same word group). And the time spent in pronouncing an
unstressed syllable in a word is often not the same as
the time spent in pronouncing an unstressed syllable
in another word (in the same word group). That is, the
syllables in some words in a word group are pronounced
more quickly than the syllables in the other words in the
same word group.
5) The way in which the syllables in some words are
pronounced more quickly than the syllables in other
words — this is remarkable. The syllables are pronounced
in such a way that something interesting happens: The
syllables that are uttered with greater force or effort come
out more loudly and clearly (than the other syllables) at
approximately equal intervals of time. This quasi-regular
succession of the loudly-heard syllables — this regular
succession gives a unique rhythm to English speech.
So when a native speaker of English speaks, the syllable
sounds don’t flow at a flat level. And so English speech flows
somewhat like a wave. The height of the speech-sound goes up
() at a stressed syllable, and then it comes down () over a
group of unstressed syllables. The height of the sound again goes
up () at the next stressed syllable, and then it comes down ()
over the next group of unstressed syllables. The loudness of the
syllable-sounds keeps going up and coming down in this way

every second (or in less time than that) — rhythmically. This
type of rhythm is called the stress-timed rhythm, because this
type of rhythm depends on the occurrence of primary stresses at
roughly equal intervals of time (no matter how many unstressed
syllables there may be in between).
The way ‘non-English’ languages flow

Most other languages don’t flow with this stress-syllable
based rhythm. For example, French doesn’t flow in this way.
No language in India flows in this way. This is because the
syllables in the words in these languages are not divided into
stressed syllables and unstressed syllables. In these non-English
languages, all syllables are neutral syllables. So all syllables occur
at equal intervals of time. And so all these non-English languages
flow with a sort of ‘flat’ rhythm. They flow with a flat rhythm,
because their rhythm depends on the occurrence of all syllables
at roughly equal intervals of time (and not of certain specified
syllables alone, as in English). This type of rhythm based on all
syllables is called the syllable-timed rhythm. We’ll use the term
flat rhythm to avoid confusion.
So in essence, this is the difference: In English, only stressed
syllables occur at roughly equal intervals of time. But in most
other languages, all syllables occur at roughly equal intervals of
time, and all syllables generally get an equal amount of stress.
Here you should note the following two points:
1). Uniform stress

In flat rhythm languages, all the syllables in a word or word
group are normally uttered with the same amount of stress. In
English, that is not so.
In English, only those syllables that are conventionally
known as stressed syllables get stress.
2). Uniform time distribution

You see, when you pronounce a syllable separately and clearly (in
isolation), it needs a certain amount of time to come out clearly.
In a flat rhythm language, while you’re speaking fluently,
each of the syllables in a word group is pronounced by giving
it the same amount of time as it needs when it’s pronounced
separately and clearly. And that’s not all. The amount of time
that each syllable takes up is almost equal. That is, the time
spent in pronouncing a syllable in one word is the same as the
time spent in pronouncing each other syllable in that word. And
the time spent in pronouncing a syllable in one word in a word
group is the same as the time spent in pronouncing each of the
syllables in the other words (in that word group). That is not so
in English. In English, only a stressed syllable is pronounced by
giving it the time it takes up when it’s pronounced separately and
clearly. In English, all unstressed syllables are pronounced more
quickly (than are stressed syllables). That is, when an unstressed
syllable is uttered, a fluent speaker doesn’t give it the normal
amount of time it’ll take up if it’s uttered separately and clearly
(in isolation). That’s why when you listen to a native speaker
of English, you’ll only be able to hear the stressed syllables very
clearly. As far as unstressed syllables are concerned, you’ll only
be able to hear them less clearly. That’s why it’s very important
that you should have a clear idea of which syllable is the ‘stressed
syllable’ in each of the frequently-used words. (Don’t worry. The
Books in this series will help you).
Let English flow the way English should flow

So here we come to an important reason why many non-native
speakers of English find it difficult to speak fluent English. They
find this difficult, because they try to let their English speech flow
in the same way as their mother-tongue flows — that is, with a
‘flat’ rhythm, rather than with a stress-timed rhythm. They place
the same amount of stress on all syllables in a word and on all
syllables in a word group. They don’t project any syllable as a

stressed one or downplay any syllable as an unstressed one. And
they don’t stress any syllable (with extra breath force or effort)
at roughly equal intervals of time.
An important factor that makes English speech to flow
steadily without any break is its stress-timed rhythm. And so
you’ll have to master it. You break that rhythm, and you’ll falter
and your speech will lose its ‘balance’ and break up. So never
speak English in a ‘flat way’. Never. From now on, remember
this thing: You must speak English by stressing stressed syllables
alone. (We’ll look at the exceptions later). This is a technique
that is very easy to master. And that’s what we’re going to start
doing now.
Up and down movement

Now at what points do the English-speech sounds go up in
loudness (and also become clearer)? And at what points do the
English-speech sounds come down in loudness (and also become
less clear)? Do they go up or come down whenever the speaker
wants them to go up or come down? Or do they go up or come
down only at certain fixed points?
Here are the answers:
1) There are certain fixed points where the loudness of
speech has to go up and come down, whether the speaker
wants it to go up or come down at those points.
2) Here are these fixed points: The loudness necessarily
goes up () (and the syllable is heard clearly) in two
cases: (i) It goes up when you utter the strong syllable in
a polysyllabic word by stressing that strong syllable. (ii)
It goes up when you utter a monosyllabic content word
by stressing its sole syllable. (Now how do you stress a
syllable? You stress a syllable when you utter it with greater
breath-force or effort than the neighbouring syllables.
When you stress a syllable, you put emphasis on it as you

pronounce it, and so it sounds louder and clearer than the
neighbouring syllables).
3) The loudness necessarily comes down () (and the
syllable is heard less clearly) in two cases: (i) It comes
down when you utter the weak syllables in a polysyllabic
word by not stressing them. (ii) It comes down when you
utter a monosyllabic function word by not stressing its sole
syllable.
4) In addition, the speaker has the freedom to emphasize
or play down any ‘function word’ if he wants, and to make
the speech sounds to go up in pitch at that point. He’s
normally free to do this either for drawing the attention of
the hearers to the meaning conveyed by that function word
or merely for keeping up the rhythm of speech.
Syllable stress
Now what are the syllables that are normally stressed, and what
are those that are not normally stressed? What’s a strong syllable
and what’s a weak syllable?
1). Polysyllabic words

In every polysyllabic word, there will be two or more syllables.
And one particular syllable in it is more important than all the
other syllables (in that word). This is something that has been
conventionally fixed. We can call this most important syllable in
the word the strong syllable and all the other syllables in the word,
weak syllables. Whenever you use a polysyllabic word, you must
stress this most important syllable. You should stress the strong
syllable in a polysyllabic word — whether it’s a content word (=
verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, demonstrative pronouns) or a
function word (= any other word).
Now in a two-syllable word, is it the first syllable or the second

syllable that is more important (strong)? In a three-syllable word,
is it the first syllable or the second syllable or the third syllable
that is the most important (strong)? Here guidelines will not be of
any help. No. You see, the position of the strong syllable in every
polysyllabic word is fixed — by convention. Nobody can change
that position. I’ll give you a list of all the essential frequently-
used polysyllabic words a few pages later. That list will show you
the position of the strong syllable in each of those words.
Remember this: In a polysyllabic word, it is only the strong
syllable that you must stress. If you stress any other syllable (that
is, a weak syllable), the word will get twisted out of shape, and
your speech will sound un-English.
2). Monosyllabic words

In a monosyllabic word, there will only be a single syllable.
If the monosyllabic word is a content word (= verbs, nouns,
adjectives, adverbs, demonstrative pronouns), its sole syllable is
treated as a strong syllable. You should stress it. That is, you
should use more breath force or effort than you use when you
pronounce an unstressed syllable.
But if the monosyllabic word is a function word, its sole
syllable is treated as a weak syllable, and not stressed. No, you
shouldn’t stress it. You should leave it unstressed. That is, when
you pronounce a monosyllabic function word, you shouldn’t use
as much breath force or effort as you use when you pronounce a
stressed syllable.
Now as far as monosyllabic function words are concerned,
they fall under two categories:
Some function words have conventional weak forms for use
in normal speech. You should only use their weak forms when
you use them in normal connected speech (that is, when you
leave them unstressed in connected speech). This is so whether
you’re speaking slow or fast. We’ll call these function words

weak function words.
A weak form of pronunciation is one in which the vowel is
weaker (= shorter) than in its full-length pronunciation. (The
full-length pronunciation is one in which the vowel is given its
full length. This is the pronunciation shown in dictionaries. This is
the form of pronunciation that a word gets when it’s pronounced
alone, in isolation).
But the remaining function words don’t have conventional
weak forms. So even when you leave them unstressed, the vowels
in them don’t normally get reduced, and they’re pronounced in
their full-length form (though they’re not stressed — that is,
though more breath force or effort is not used in pronouncing
them). This is so, provided you’re not speaking casually and fast.
But if you’re speaking casually and fast, many of these function
words would show reduction. We’ll call these function words
neutral function words.
Let’s now find out more about the two categories of function
words. We must do this before we start looking at the mechanics
of the English rhythm.
List A: Weak function words

These words have two forms of pronunciations. There’s a ‘full-
length form’ and there’s a ‘weak form’.
The full-length form is the form in which you pronounce
them when they’re pronounced alone, in isolation. In this full-
length form of pronunciation, you give full sound value to the
vowel in the sole syllable in these words. The ‘weak form’ is
the form in which fluent speakers normally pronounce them in
connected speech. In this full-length form of pronunciation, you
don’t give full sound value to the vowel in the sole syllable in
these words.
Remember this: The weak form is the regular form of
pronunciation of these words. So if you stress them in connected

speech (except as a special case to draw the hearers’ attention to
them), your English would sound artificial.
“Schwa”
If you want to produce reduced forms of words in speech, you
have to have a clear idea about a very common unstressed vowel
called ‘schwa’ (pronounced as ‘shwa’). In the pronunciation-
description given below, you’ll come across the inverted ‘e’ (“ə”)
at several places. ‘ə’ is a semi-vowel-sound. It is found only in
syllables that are not stressed. Yet it is the most frequent vowel-
sound in English.
You know, ‘ə’ is —
• the sound between ‘s’ and ‘p’ in ‘supply’. • the sound
between ‘p’ and ‘n’ in ‘company’. • the sound between
‘m’ and ‘s’ in ‘famous’. • the sound between ‘p’ and ‘h’ in
‘perhaps’. • the sound of ‘a’ in ‘about’. • the sound of ‘i’ in
‘capacity’. • the sound of ‘e’ in ‘item’. • the sound of ‘o’ in
‘obey’.
‘ə’ sounds like a semi ‘e’ or a semi ‘a’ or a semi ‘o’. Let me
give you an idea of how ‘ə’ sounds like: Clench your teeth. Say
‘a’ — not the letter ‘a’, but the sound ‘a’, that is, the sound of the
letter ‘u’ in ‘up’. (This sound is represented by the international
phonetic alphabet ‘Λ’). Say it from the throat. That’s the ‘ə’ sound.
Again clench your teeth. Say ‘o’. Let the sounds come from the
throat. That’s the ‘ə’ sound. Again clench your teeth. Say ‘e’ (not
letter ‘e’, but sound ‘e’ – the sound of the letter ‘e’ in ‘end’). That’s
the ‘ə’ sound. Let the sound come from the throat. Again, the
sound you produce is the ‘ə’ sound.
Note this: ‘ə’ is a very short vowel. It’s length is very short
compared to the length of other short vowel sounds. Mind you,
I’m not asking you to clench your teeth whenever you make the ‘ə’
sound in connected speech. I’m only trying to make you feel how
the sound ‘ə’ sounds like. But there are two things you should
never do: Whenever you make the ‘ə’ sound, never round your
lips, and never open your mouth wide.
Now let’s take a detailed look at the function words that have
‘weak forms’ for normal use. Here’s their list. You’ll find the ‘weak
forms’ on the right hand side of the arrows.
• a  ə. • am  m , əm. • an  ən. • and  ənd, nd, ən, n.
• are  ə (before consonants), ər (before vowels). • as  əs. • at
 ət. • be  bi. • been  bin. • but  bət. • can  kən. • could
 kəd. • do  də (before consonants), du (before vowels). •
does  dəz. • for  fə (before consonants), fər (before vowels).
• from  frəm, frm. • had  həd, əd, d. • has  həz, əz, z, s.
• have  həv, əv, v. • he  i:. • her  hər, з:, ə. • him  im. •
his  iz. • is  s, z. • me  mi. • must  məs. • not  nt, n.
• of  əv, v. • Saint  sənt, snt, sən, sn. • shall  shəl, shl. •
she  shi. • should  shəd. • sir  sə (before consonants), sər
(before vowels). • so  sə. • some  səm – only when used as
an adjective (and not when used as a pronoun). • than  thən. •
that  thət. • the  thə (before consonants), thi (before vowels).
• them  thəm. • there  thə. • to  tə (before consonants), tu
(before vowels). • us  əs, s. • was  wəs. • we  wi. • were
 wə (before consonants), wər (before vowels). • who  hu, u:,
u. • will  əl, l. • would  wəd, wd, d. • you  yu, yə.
List B: Neutral function words

There are certain function words in English that are normally
given their full-length pronunciation. That is, as far as these
function words are concerned, it’s normal to use their full-length
pronunciation, even when they’re not stressed. But in fast speech,
even these function words get weakened. This is especially so if
the fast speech happens in a casual situation.
Here’s a list of these function words (followed by their
reduced forms):
• any  ni. • by  bə. • did  d. • how  həw. • I  ə. • if

 (ə)f. • in  (ə)n. • it  ət. • its  əts. • many  mni. • may
 mə. • might  mət. • more  mə. • my  mə. • nor  nə.
• or  ər. • on  (ə)n. • our  aə, a: • so  sə. • their  thə.
• then  thən. • they  thə. • though  thə. • through  thrə.
• till  təl. • used (to)  yu:stə. • what  wət. • when  wən.
• where  wə(r). • which  wəch. • while  wəl. • whose 
həs. • why  wΛ, wə. • with  wəth. • your  yə.
Guidelines
Here are a few guidelines, and you’ll find them helpful:
Guideline 1
am, are, can, could, did, do, does, had, has, have, is, must,
shall, should, was, were, will, would. Suppose that you use
any of these verb forms as the first word in a ‘question
word group’. Then, you must use their full-length forms (as
given on the left hand side of the arrows), and not their
weak forms.
E.g. • Am I at|fault? • Are you a |doctor? • Can I |help
you?
In medial positions, use their weak forms.
Guideline 2
am, are, be, can, could, did, do, does, had, has, have, is,
must, shall, should, was, were, will, would. Suppose that you
use any of these verb forms as the last word in a clausal
idea unit (whole or fragmentary) or a ‘foot’ (We’ll soon see
what a ‘foot’ is). Then, you must use their full-length forms,
and not their weak forms.
E.g. • Yes, I am. • Yes, we are. • Yes, he can. • Yes, they
could.
Guideline 3
at, by, for, from, of, on, till, to, with. Suppose that you use
any of these prepositions as the last word in a clausal idea
unit (whole or fragmentary) or a ‘foot’ (We’ll soon see what
a ‘foot’ is). Then, you must use their full-length forms, and
not their weak forms.
E.g. • What are you looking at? • This is what he earns his
living by.
Guideline 4
he, her, him, his, them, us. Even when they occur finally in
an idea unit (or in a foot within an idea unit), you should
not use the full-length forms of these words. You should
only use their weak forms. (You should use their full-
length forms only when you stress them as special cases for
reasons of meaning).
E.g. • Who’s i: (= he)? • Ask з: (= her). • Tell im (= him).
Guideline 5
how, what, when, where, which, who, whose, why. Suppose
that you use any of these words as the first word in a
‘question word group’. Then you must use the full-length
forms of these words.
E.g. • How did he|go? • What |time is it? • When will
you be |ready?
But if these words occur medially, and if you’re speaking at
a fast rate, you don’t normally have to use the full-length
forms of these words.
Guideline 6
more. You need not use the full-length form of this word,
and you can weaken it, when you use it for comparison.
E.g. John|draws mə (=more)|beautifully than|Mary.

But suppose that you use this word to indicate the quantity
or number of something. Then you must normally use its
full-length form.
E.g. more |people, more |money, etc.
Guideline 7
some. Suppose that you’re using ‘some’ as an adjective.
Then you should normally weaken this word, and should
not use its full-length form.
E.g. • səm (=some) people. • səm (= some) powder.
But you must not weaken it, but use its full-length form, if
you’re using it as a pronoun.
E.g. • some are good. • He gave me some.
Guideline 8
that. Suppose that you’re using ‘that’ as a conjunction
to introduce a clause. Then you can weaken this word.
(Actually, you can leave out the word ‘that’ in contexts like
these).
E.g. • Anil|told me (thət)|Mina was|there. • Gita|thought
(thət)|Anil had| gone.
Again, suppose that you use ‘that’ as a relative pronoun.
Then again, you can weaken this word.
E.g. the book (thət) you gave me.
In other contexts, you must not weaken it, but use its full-
length form.
E.g. • Give me that. • Who’s that? • Where’s that?
Guideline 9
there. Suppose that you use ‘there’ as the second word in a
‘question word group’ or as the introductory (first) word in
other word groups. Then you need not use the full-length
form of this word. (In these cases, you’re using ‘there’ as an
indefinite adverb).
E.g. • Is there (= thər)|any|doubt? • There’s (= Thəz)
a|boy at the|gate.
But suppose that you use ‘there’ to mean ‘to that place’ or
‘at that place’ or ‘in that place’. Then, you must normally
use its full-length form. (Here you’re using ‘there’ as a
demonstrative adverb).
E.g. • Anil|told me |Mina was there. • He’s gone there.
Limited freedom
Let me now sum up a few points:
1) As far as monosyllabic content words are concerned,
the general principle is that you must stress them. But, if
the meaning they convey is understood from the context,
you may sometimes have to leave them unstressed in fast
casual speech — for keeping up the rhythm of speech.
2) As far as monosyllabic function words are concerned,
you must not normally stress them. You mustn’t. However,
in two circumstances, you may have to stress them: (i) You
may have to stress them, if you want to draw the hearers’
particular attention to the meaning conveyed by those
words. (ii) You may also have to stress them for keeping up
the rhythm of speech.
3) As far as polysyllabic content words are concerned, you
must always stress them.
4) As far as polysyllabic function words are concerned,
you must normally stress them, too. But sometimes in fast
casual speech, you may have to leave them unstressed —
for keeping up the rhythm of speech. For example, ‘any’
and ‘many’ are two polysyllabic words that often show
reduction in length of sounds:
• any  ni. • many  mni.

Note that these circumstances make things easier for you.
Why? Because you’re free (to a limited extent) to decide what
to do to keep up the rhythm of speech. On the one hand, you
can leave out to stress relatively unimportant words that are
normally stressed — if you find it necessary to do so to keep up
the rhythm. On the other hand, you can stress words (syllables)
that are normally left unstressed — if you find that also necessary
to keep up the rhythm.
But it won’t be necessary for you to exercise this kind of
choice often. If you do four things, the rhythm of your English
speech will normally take care of itself:
• Stress the strong syllable in every polysyllabic word
(content word as well as function word).
• Don’t stress monosyllabic function words.
• As a rule, when you use a ‘weak function word’, use its
weak (= reduced) form of pronunciation (List A above).
• Stress all monosyllabic content words.
Shortened forms
The shortened forms of certain very common word combinations
are given below: These combinations happen when certain
common words come together in speech. When these common
words come together in speech, you should only use their
shortened forms, and not their long forms. (As far as their long
forms are concerned, you should only use them in exceptional
cases — when you want to give special importance to them, and
not otherwise).
In the list below, you’ll find the long form on the left hand
side of each ‘=’, the shortened form on the right hand side of each
‘=’, and the pronunciation of the shortened form on the right
hand side of each arrow.
• I am = I’m  Λim, Λəm. • I can  Λikən. • I could 

Λikəd. • I had = I’d  Λiəd, Λid. • I have = I’ve  Λihəv, Λiəv,
Λiv. • I must  Λiməs. • I will = I’ll  Λil. • I would = I’d 
Λiəd, Λid.
NOTE: When ‘I’ occurs medially, it’s often reduced to ‘ə’ in fast speech.
E.g. • When I was…  Whenəwəs… • Then I said…  Thenə said…
• you are = you’re  yə (before consonants), yər (before
vowels). • you can  yukən, yəkən. • you could  yukəd, yəkəd.
• you had = you’d  yud or yəd. • you have = you’ve  yuhəv,
yəv. • you must  yuməs, yəməs. • you will = you’ll  yul or yəl.
• you would = you’d  yud or yəd.
• he can  hikən. • he could  hikəd. • he has = he’s 
hiz. • he is = he’s  hiz. • he must  himəs. • he will = he’ll 
hil. • he would = he’d  hid.
• she can  shikən. • she could  shikəd. • she had = she’d
 shihəd, shiəd, shid. • she has = she’s  shihəz, shiəz, shiz. •
she is = she’s  shiz. • she must  shiməs. • she will = she’ll 
shil. • she would =she’d  shiwəd, shiəd, shid.
• it can  itkən (often, ikkcn). • it could  itkəd (often,
ikkəd). • it had = it’d  it’həd, itəd, itd. • it has = it’s  it’həz,
itəz, its. • it is = it’s  its. • it must  itməs (often, ipməs). • it
will = it’ll  itl. • it would = it’d  itwəd, itəd, itd.
• we are = we’re  wiə (before consonants), wiər (before
vowels). • we can  wikən. • we could  wikəd. • we had =
we’d  wihəd, wiəd, wid. • we have = we’ve  wihəv, wiəv, wiv.
• we must  wiməs. • we will = we’ll  wil. • we would = we’d
 wiwəd, wiəd, wid.
• they are = they’re  theiə (before consonants), theiər
(before vowels). • they can  theikən. • they could  theikəd.
• they had = they’d  theihəd, theiəd, theid. • they have =
they’ve  theihəv, theiəv, theiv. • they must  theiməs. • they
will = they’ll  theil. • they would = they’d  theiwəd, theiəd,
theid.
• who are = who’re  huə (before consonants), huər(before

vowels). • who can  hukən. • who could  hukəd. • who had
= who’d  huhəd, huəd, hud. • who has = who’s  huhəz,
huəz, huz. • who have = who’ve  huhəv, huəv, huv. • who is =
who’s  huz. • who must  huməs. • who will = who’ll  hul.
• who would = who’d  huwəd, huəd, hud.
• that are = that’re  thətə (before consonants), thatər
(before vowels). • that can  thətkən (often, thəkkən). • that
could  thətkəd (often, thəkkəd). • that had = that’d  thət’həd,
thətəd, thətd. • that has = that’s  thət’həz, thətəz, thəts. • that
have = that’ve  thət’həv, thətəv, thətv. • that is = that’s  thəts.
• that must  thətməs (often, thəpməs). • that will = that’ll 
thətl. • that would = that’d  thətwəd, thətəd, thətd.
• can have = can’ve  kənəv. • could have = could’ve 
kədəv. • may have = may’ve  meiv. • might have = might’ve 
mightəv. • must have = must’ve  məsv. • ought to have  otəv.
• shall have = shall’ve  shələv. • should have = should’ve 
shədəv. • will have = will’ve  wiləv. • would have = would’ve
 wədəv.
• here is = here’s  hiəz. • there are  thərə (before
consonants), thərər (before vowels). • there can  thəkən. •
there could  thəkəd. • there had = there’d  thəhəd, thəd. •
there has = there’s  thəz. • there have = there’ve  thəv. •
there is = there’s  thəz. • there must  thəməs. • there will =
there’ll  thəl. • there would = there’d  thəwəd, thəd.
• how are = how’re  howə (before consonants), howər
(before vowels). • how can  howkən. • how could  howkəd.
• how had = how’d  howəd, howd. • how has = how’s 
howz. • how have = how’ve  howəv. • how is = how’s 
howz. • how must  howməs. • how will = how’ll  how’l. •
how would = how’d  howəd, howd.
• what are = what’re  watə (before consonants), whatər
(before vowels). • what can  watkən (usually, wakkcn ). •
what could  watkəd (usually, wakkəd). • what had = what’d
 wat’həd, watəd. • what has = what’s  wats. • what have =

what’ve  watəv. • what is = what’s  wats. • what must 
watməs. • what will = what’ll  watl. • what would = what’d
 watwəd, watəd.
• when are = when’re  wenə (before consonants), whenər
(before vowels). • when can  wenkən. • when could 
wenkəd. • when had = when’d wenhəd, wenəd. • when has =
when’s  wenz. • when have = when’ve  wenəv. • when is =
when’s  wenz (‘e’ pronounced as the ‘e’ in ‘edit’). • when must
 wenməs (usually, wemməs). • when will = when’ll  wenl. •
when would = when’d  wenwəd, wenəd.
NOTE: When ‘when’ occurs medially, it’s often reduced to ‘whən’ in
rapid speech. E.g. • That’s when I said…  That’s wənə said…
• where are  weərə (before consonants), weərər(before
vowels). • where can  weəkən. • where could  weəkəd. •
where had = where’d  weəhəd, weərəd. • where has = where’s
 weəz. • where have = where’ve  weərəv. • where is =
where’s  weəz (‘e’ pronounced as the ‘e’ in ‘edit’). • where must
 weəməs. • where will = where’ll  weərl. • where would =
where’d  weəwəd, weərəd.
NOTE: When ‘where’ occurs medially, it’s often reduced to ‘whə(r)’ in
fast speech.
E.g. That’s where I met…  That’s wərə met…
• are not = aren’t  a:nt. • cannot = can’t  ka:nt. • could
not = couldn’t  kədn. • did not = didn’t  didn, din. • did you
 dyou, ju (‘j’ pronounced as the ‘j’ in ‘just’). • do not = don’t
 doun. • do you = d’you  dyu, ju (‘j’ pronounced as the ‘j’
in ‘just’). • does not = doesn’t  dəzn. • had not = hadn’t 
hədn, ədn, dn. • has not = həsn’t  həzn, əzn, zn, sn. • have not
= haven’t  həvn, əvn, vn. • is not = isn’t  zn. • might not =
mightn’t  mightn. • must not = mustn’t  məsn. • need not
= needn’t  needn. • ought not = oughtn’t  oughtn. • shall
not = shan’t  sha:nt. • should not = shouldn’t  shədn. • was
not = wasn’t  wəzn. • were not = weren’t  wз:nt. (‘з:’ can
be taken as the long form of ‘ə’). • will not = won’t  woun. •

would not = wouldn’t  wədn, ədn, dn.
* * *
Foot and rh ythm 43
chapter 3
Foot and rhythm

Between two stressed syllables in a word group, there may or may
not be a few unstressed syllables. In the following word group,
the only stressed syllables are ‘Ka’, ‘go’, ‘mar’, ‘get’ and ‘ve’.
Kamal was |going to the |market to |get some |vegetables.
(Foot 1) (Foot 2) (Foot 3) (Foot 4) (Foot 5)
Now here’s an important point you’ll have to pay all your
attention to: The time in which you utter one stressed syllable
plus the unstressed syllables that may follow it upto the next
stressed syllable must be approximately the same as the time
in which you utter that 2nd stressed syllable plus the unstressed
syllables that may follow it (upto the next – 3rd – stressed
syllable). That is:
• The time in which you utter the 1st stressed syllable
plus the unstressed syllables that may follow it (upto the
2nd stressed syllable) must be approximately the same as
the time in which you utter the 2nd stressed syllable plus
the unstressed syllables that may follow it (upto the 3rd
stressed syllable).
• The time in which you utter the 2nd stressed syllable
3rd stressed syllable) must be approximately the same as
the time in which you utter the 3rd stressed syllable plus
the unstressed syllables that may follow it (upto the 4th
stressed syllable).
• The time in which you utter the 3rd stressed syllable
4th stressed syllable) must be approximately the same as
the time in which you utter the 4th stressed syllable plus
the unstressed syllables that may follow it (upto the 5th
stressed syllable).
44 F oot and rh ythm
The fundamental principle of English

rhythm
A unit made up of a stressed syllable plus the unstressed syllables
that may follow it (upto the next stressed syllable) is known as
a foot. For example, ‘Kamal was’, ‘going to the’, ‘market to’, ‘get
some’ and ‘vegetables’ are the feet in the word group we’ve just
now seen.
So the time in which you utter a foot in a word group must
be approximately the same as the time in which you utter any
other foot within that word group — no matter how many
unstressed syllables there are in a foot. That is, no matter how
many unstressed syllables there are in a foot, each foot within a
word group is to be said in the same amount of time. This is the
fundamental principle of English rhythm. This principle makes
sure that stressed syllables are heard prominently at regular
intervals of time — like the beat of a drum or the tick of a clock.
Let me now illustrate the principle:
Sl. No. Foot 1 Foot 2 Foot 3
1) |One |two |three.
2) |Ten |twenty |twentieth.
3) |Ahmed and his |friends have |come.
4) |John |thanked me for the |present.
• Word group 1: In the first word group, there are three feet:
‘one’, ‘two’, and ‘three’. Each foot has only a single syllable. The
sole syllable in each foot is, therefore, a stressed syllable. There
are no unstressed syllables in any of the three feet. The time taken
to say ‘one’ must approximately be the same as the time taken to
say ‘two’. And the time taken to say ‘two’ must approximately be
the same as the time taken to say ‘three’.
• Word group 2: In the second word group, there are three
feet. The stressed syllable in the first foot is ‘Ten’. The stressed
Foot and rh ythm 45
syllable in the second foot is ‘twen’. The stressed syllable in

the third foot is also ‘twen’. The first foot has only one stressed
syllable in it. There are no unstressed syllables in that foot. The
second foot has one unstressed syllable in it (‘ty’). The third foot
has two unstressed syllables in it (‘ti’ and ‘eth’). The time taken to
say ‘Ten’ must approximately be the same as the time taken to say
‘twenty’. And the time taken to say ‘twenty’ must approximately
be the same as time taken to say ‘twentieth’. So the amount of the
time taken to say the sole syllable in the first foot (‘Ten’) is double
the time taken to say each of the two syllables in the second foot
(‘twen’ & ‘ty’) — and three times the time taken to say each of
the three syllables in the third foot (‘twen’, ‘ti’ & ‘eth’). In short,
you have to say ‘Ten’ very slowly, ‘twenty’ quickly, and ‘twentieth’
more quickly.
• Word group 3: In the third word group, the first foot has
one stressed syllable and three unstressed syllables following it.
The second foot has one stressed syllable and one unstressed
syllable following it. The third foot has only a stressed syllable
(and no unstressed syllables). Still you must utter the first foot
(4 syllables), second foot (2 syllables) and the third foot (one
syllable) in approximately equal amounts of time.
• Word group 4: In the fourth word group, you must say
‘John’ (one syllable) in approximately the same amount of
time as ‘thanked me for the’ (4 syllables). You must only take
up approximately the same amount of time to say ‘present’ (2
syllables), too.
Beating the rhythm

Let the explanations not frighten you. In actual practice, the
whole thing is very easy. It is not difficult at all to utter each foot
in approximately the same amount of time.
Try doing like this: When you utter the stressed syllable in
a foot, tap somewhere with your index finger or with a pencil.
Keep on tapping at the rate of one tap for each stressed syllable.
Keep on tapping at a uniform speed, that is, at regular intervals

of time. At each tap, you must utter a stressed syllable. The
stressed syllable plus the unstressed syllables that may follow it
will automatically get squeezed in between every two taps. Say
the following word groups by beating the rhythm in this way
with your index finger or with a pencil.
|Abu is |getting |better.
|Nobody |seemed |anxious to |go.
|Ahmed hasn’t |made up his |mind yet.
|This |box will |do.
|Tom can |easily |mend it.
|Priya didn’t |mind him |taking it.
|Ask her to |play the |violin.
|That’s the |best they’ve |got.
|That |child has |fallen |over.
|Let me |show you |how.
|Father has been |gone an |hour or |more.
|This |pen’s |useless.
|Don’t |make such a |fuss.
|Everyone |said he was |bright.
|Pass me the |book.
|None of them was any |good.
Don’t pause at the end of a foot at this stage. We’ll come to
the question of pausing later. Utter each word group foot by foot,
from beginning till end, without pausing anywhere. There are
two important points that you must keep in mind:
• A foot always begins with a stressed syllable. No foot
begins with an unstressed syllable. If a foot has only one
syllable, it’ll be a stressed syllable. If a foot has more than
one syllable, that foot will end only in an unstressed
syllable (and not in a stressed syllable).
• English speech is louder at the beginning of a foot —
because a foot always begins with a stressed syllable.
From there, the loudness falls gradually towards the end
Foot and rh ythm 47
of the foot. From there, the loudness jumps up steeply at

the beginning of the second foot. From there, the loudness
falls gradually towards the end of that foot. From there,
the loudness jumps up steeply at the beginning of the
next foot. In that way, the loudness keeps jumping up
steeply and coming down gradually in a rhythmic way.
Two special cases
1). The silent stress

From what we’ve seen so far, one thing must be clear to you:
An idea unit is nothing but a chain of feet. Now you must note
one thing: Though a foot must always begin with a stressed
syllable, an idea unit may begin either with a stressed syllable or
an unstressed syllable. Take the idea unit ‘|John is a |fool’. Here
the idea-unit starts with the stressed syllable ‘John’. Therefore,
the first foot can also start with ‘John’. But now take another
idea-unit.
He wanted to go.
This idea-unit starts with the word ‘He’. ‘He’ is a monosyllabic
function word, and so it’s not generally stressed. So a foot cannot
normally begin with ‘He’. Then how do we divide ‘He wanted to
go’ into feet? We can do it like this:
|º He |wanted to |go.
Here all that we’ve done is this: We’ve assumed that there’s a
stressed syllable before the unstressed ‘He’, and that this ‘assumed
stressed syllable’ is a silent one. We also assume that this silent
stressed syllable plus the unstressed syllable ‘He’ form the first
foot. The degree sign ‘º’ stands for the silent stress.
In this case, you can beat the rhythm by starting the tapping
before uttering ‘He’. In the examples given below, ‘º’ stands for
the silent stress ‘º’. Do the tapping once, and then say ‘He’ —
without stressing it. The next tap will fall on ‘wan’, and the next
on ‘go’.
A few more examples are given below:
|º It’s |raining |harder |now.
|º The |painting is |finished.
|º They |won’t |know the |difference.
|º It would be |better to |write to him.
|º He has been |made |Chairman.
|º There are a |few more |left.
|º There is |still no |word from him.
NOTE: There must be no pause after the initial unstressed syllables
and before the first stressed syllable. So there must be no pause
between “It’s” and “raining”, between “The” and “painting”, etc.
Connect the initial unstressed syllables to the first stressed syllable
quickly.
2).Unstressed syllables at the beginning of

‘words’
Take the idea-unit ‘John expects me’. In the word ‘expects’, the
stressed syllable is ‘pects’, and so the stress falls on that syllable.
The first syllable ‘ex’ in that word is an unstressed one. In such a
case, this is how we divide the word group into feet:
|John ex|pects me.
In other words, the unstressed syllable ‘ex’ at the beginning
of the word ‘expects’ is treated as part of the preceding foot. So
‘John ex’ is one foot, and ‘pects me’ is another foot.
A few more examples are given below:
You are |very un|kind: (unkind)
I |didn’t en|joy it: (enjoy)
|Don’t under|take it: (undertake)
|Nobody can under|stand him: (understand)
|Please |try a|gain: (again)
He ex|plained it to me: (explained)
She re|fused the |offer: (refused)
Foot and rh ythm 49
He has been pro|moted: (promoted)

NOTE: We’ll be doing intensive rhythm drills in the later Books in this series.
Speed of speech
A question that usually worries people is this: “How fast should
I speak?” The answer to the question is this. You must be fast
enough, so that you do not appear to be hesitating between every
two words — and your speech does not sound artificial. At the
same time, you must also be slow enough, so that your listeners
can make out what you’re saying — and the “speed of speech”
does not break up the flow of your speech.
How to speak fast enough as well as slow enough in this
way? The answer is this: Utter each foot in less than 3/4th of a
second. Yes, in less than 3/4th of a second. Of course, nobody
speaks by keeping track of the time they take to utter each foot.
But it’s quite easy to achieve this rate of speed — and to keep
it up. Yes, this is quite easy to do. Learn to tap with your finger
at equal intervals of time. The interval must be less than 3/4th
of a second. You can do this if you tap on at the rate of about
8 to 10 taps per 6 seconds. Yes, 8 to 10 taps in 6 seconds. You
can count the number of taps by tapping on a white paper with
the tip of a pencil, and by counting the number of pencil marks
made in 6 seconds. Once you’ve learnt to tap at this rate, you
can practice saying the practice material at this rate. And within
a few minutes, you’ll get used to saying word groups at this rate
of speed.
When you speak at this rate, you’ll take about 2 seconds to
utter an idea unit of average length — that is, to utter an idea
unit consisting of 5 to 6 short and simple words. About 2 seconds
on an average per idea unit. This is the average rate at which a
fluent native speaker of English speaks English.
Don’t be under the impression that the faster you speak, the
more fluent you sound. No. You sound fluent not when you speak
faster (than at the normal speed), but when you speak with an
uninterrupted flow (at the normal speed — that is, at the rate
of one idea unit of 5 to 6 short and simple words in about two
seconds).
And what is an “uninterrupted flow”? An uninterrupted flow
is a flow that is interrupted by as few unmanaged hesitations as
possible. Yes, there must be as few unmanaged hesitations as
possible in your speech. And what is an “unmanaged hesitation”?
But this is another topic, and we’ll take it up later.
***
F requently-used polysyllabic words 51
chapter 4
Frequently-used
polysyllabic words
You’re now going to get a complete list of essential polysyllabic
words. (You’ll get a similar list of monosyllabic words in a later
Book). These are all the polysyllabic words you’ll normally
need for fluent speech. The only words that are left out are
special polysyllabic words. For example, ‘palpitation’ is a special
polysyllabic word that doctors use when they talk about heart-
troubles. It is not a word of general use. The words you’re going
to get are words of general use — words that you can use for any
kind of communication.
The stressed syllable in each word has been printed in CAPITAL
letters. The remaining letters represent unstressed syllables. Here
you should bear these things in mind:
• The stressed syllable in a word is said with more
breath-force or effort than the unstressed syllables. So
the stressed syllable can be heard more loudly than the
unstressed syllables.
• The stressed syllable is pronounced more slowly and
clearly than the unstressed syllables. The unstressed
syllables are said weakly and rapidly. The length of the
sound of the stressed syllable never gets reduced when
you stress it. It’s always uttered by giving it sufficient
time, so that its full length can come out. But the sounds
of unstressed syllables always show reduction in length.
In fact, when compared to the length reduction that
unstressed syllables show, the stressed syllable often
sounds stretched out.
When you go through the list of polysyllabic words, remember
one thing: The stressed syllable in each word has been shown on
52 F requently-used polysyllabic words
the basis of sound, and not on the basis of spelling. Take the word
‘addition’, for example. Here the stress falls on ‘ddi’. So you’ll
find it printed as ‘aDDItion’. This is a syllable division based on
sound. But on the basis of spelling, you can divide the word in
another way also: ‘ad-di-tion’. This is a syllable-division that
is meant for typists and printers, so they can decide where to
divide the word at the end of a line while typing or printing. But
we’re not concerned about that kind of division. We’re concerned
about where the stress falls while speaking. So you’ll find that
double spellings like ‘dd’, ‘gg’, ‘ll’, etc. have been treated as single
sounds. Pay attention to the stressed syllables that are shown in
capital letters, and don’t worry about the mechanics of syllable
division. As we’ve already seen, a syllable is a unit of sound. A
syllable will always have a vowel in it. It may also have one or
more consonants before it or after it — or before and after it.
There’s one more thing. After a few words in the list, you’ll
find the letters ‘n’ and ‘v’ within brackets. ‘n’ stands for ‘noun’
(naming word), and ‘v’ stands for ‘verb’ (action word).
Now let’s go for the words. You’ll find the words listed in two
ways: First, alphabetically. Then, according to the position of the
stressed syllable in the words — that is, stress-position-wise.
Alphabetical lists
A: • aBILity, Able, aBOUT, aBOVE, aBROAD, ABsence,
ABsent, ABsolute, ABsolutely, abSORB, ABsorbing, aBUSE.
• acCELerate, ACcent, acCEPT, ACcident, accommoDAtion,
aCCOmmodate, aCCOMpany, aCCOMplish, aCCORDing,
aCCOUNT, aCCOUNTant, ACCUrate, aCCUSE, aCCUStom,
aCHIEVE, aCHIEVEment, ackNOWLedge, aCQUAINT,
aCQUAINTance, aCQUIRE, aCROSS, ACtion, ACTive,
ACTively, acTIVity, ACtual, ACtually. • aDDItion,
aDDItional, aDDRESS, ADequate, adJUST, adminiSTRAtion,
ADmirable, admiRAtion, adMIRE, adMIT, aDOPT,
ADult, adVANCE, adVANCED, adVANtage, adVENTure,

ADvertise, adVERTisement, adVICE, adVISE. • aFFAIR,
aFFECT, aFFECtion, aFFECtionate, aFFORD, aFRAID,
AFter, afterNOON, AFTerwards. • aGAIN, aGAINST,
Agency, Agent, aGO, aGREE, aGREEment. • aHEAD.
• AIMless, AIRport. • aLARM, ALcohol, aLIKE, aLIVE,
aLLOW, aLLOWance, ALmost, aLONE, aLONG, aLOUD,
alREAdy, ALso, ALter, alTHOUGH, altoGEther, ALways. •
aMAZE, amBItion, amBItious, aMONG, aMOUNT, aMUSE,
aMUSEment. • ANalyse, aNAlysis, ANchor, ANcient, ANger,
ANgle, ANgry, ANimal, ANkle, anniVERsary, aNNOUNCE,
aNNOY, ANnual, aNOther, ANswer, anXIEty, ANxious, Any,
Anybody, Anyhow, Anyone, Anything, Anyway, Anywhere.
• aPART, aPOLogize, aPOLogy, aPPARently, aPPEAL,
aPPEAR, aPPEARance, Appetite, aPPLAUSE, Applicant,
appliCAtion, aPPLY, aPPOINT, aPPOINTment, aPPREciate,
aPPROACH, aPPROVAL, aPPROVE, aPPROXimate,
aPPROXimately. • Area, ARgue, ARgument, aRISE, ARmy,
aROUND, aRRANGE, aRRANGEment, aRREST, aRRIVE,
Arrow, ARticle, artiFIcial, ARTist. • aSHAMED, aSHORE,
aSIDE, aSLEEP, aSSEMble, aSSIST, aSSISTance, aSSISTant,
aSSOciate, associAtion, aSSUME, aSSURE, aSTONish,
aSTONishment. • ATmosphere, aTROcious, aTTACH,
aTTACK, aTTAIN, aTTEMPT, aTTEND, aTTENDance,
aTTENtion, Attitude, aTTRACT, aTTRACtion, aTTRACTive.
• AUdience, AUthor, auTHOrity, autoMAtic. • aVAILable,
Average, aVOID. • aWAKE, aWARD, aWARE, aWAY, AWful,
AWKward.
B: • BAby, BACKbone, BACKground, BACKward,
BACKwards, backYARD, BADly, BAggage, BALance,
BALcony, baLLOON, baNAna, BANDage, BANKer,
BANKrupt, BARber, BARgain, BArrel, BASEment,
BAsic, BAsin, BAsis, BASket, BATHroom, BAtter, BAttle.
• BEAUtiful, BEAUty. beCAUSE, BEckon, beCOME,
BEDclothes, BEDroom, BEDside, beFORE, beFOREhand,
BEggar, beGIN, beGINNer, beGINNing, beHAVE, beHAviour,

beHIND, BEing, beLIEF, beLIEVE, BElly, beLONG,
beLONGings, beLOVED, beLOW, BEnefit, beSIDE, beSIDES,
BEtter, beTWEEN, beYOND. • BIcycle, BIRTHday, BIScuit,
Bitter, BItterness. • BLACKmail, BLACKsmith, BLAdder,
BLANket, BLESSing, BLOODy, BLOssom, BLUNder. • BOdy,
BOLDness, BOMBing, BONy, BOOKshelf, BOOKshop,
BORder, BORing, BOrrow, BOther, BOttle, BOttom,
BOUNDary, BOWels. • BRAvery, BREAKdown, BREAKfast,
BRIDEgroom, BRIEFcase, BRIGHTen, BROADcast,
BROADen, BROther. • BUbble, BUcket, BUdget, BUILDing,
BULKy, BUllet, BULLy, BUMper, BUNdle, BURden, BURGlar,
BUrial, BUry, BUSiness, BUSinessman, BUsy, BUtcher,
BUtter, BUtton, BUttonhole. • BYpass, BYstander.
C: • CAbin, CAbinet, CAble, CAfe, CALculate, CALender,
CALMness, CAmera, camPAIGN, caNAL, CANcel,
CANdle, canTEEN, CANvas, CApable, caPAcity, CAPital,
CAPtain, CAPture, CARbon, CARDboard, caREER,
CAREful, CAREless, CARpenter, CARpet, CArriage,
CArry, carTOON, caSSETTE, CAstle, CAsual, CAsualty,
CAtalogue, CAttle, CAUtion, CAUtious. • CEILing,
CELebrate, CELebrated, CEllar, ceMENT, CEmetery,
CENtimetre, CENtral, CENtre, CENtury, CEremony,
CERtain, CERtainly, CERtainty, cerTIficate, CERtify. •
CHAIRman, CHAllenge, CHAMpion, CHAnnel, CHApter,
CHAracter, CHAtter, CHAUffeur, CHEERful, CHEMical,
CHERish, CHIcken, CHILDren, CHILDhood, CHILDish,
CHIMney, CHOcolate, CHUBBy. • ciGAR, cigaRETTE,
Clnema, CIRcle, CIRcular, CIRculate, CIRcuit, cirCUItious,
CIRcumstance, CIRcus, CItizen, CIty, CIvil, civiliZAtion,
CIvilize. • CLArify, classifiCAtion, CLASSify, CLASSical,
CLASSroom, CLEARing, CLEver, CLImate, CLImax,
CLOCKwork, CLOTHing, CLOUDy, CLUMsy, CLUSter.
• COffee, COffee-pot, COllar, coLLECT, coLLECTION,
COlleague, COllege, COlony, COlour, COlourful, COlumn,
combiNAtion, comBINE, COmedy, COMfort, COMfortable,

coMMAND, coMMEND, COmment, COmmentary,
COmmentator, COmmerce, coMMERcial, coMMIT,
COmmon, COmmonplace, commonSENSE, coMMOtion,
coMMUnicate, communiCAtion, coMMUnity, comPANion,
COMpany, comPARative, comPARatively, comPARE,
comPARison, comPEL, comPETE, compeTItion, comPETitor,
comPLAIN, comPLAINT, comPLETE, comPLETELY,
COMplex, comPLEXion, COMplicate, COMplicated,
comPLY, comPOSE, COMpound, compreHEND,
compreHENsion, compreHENsive, comPRISE, comPULsion,
comPULsory, comPUTE, comPUter, COMrade, conCEAL,
conCEDE, conCEIT, conCEssion, conCEIted, conCEIVE,
concenTRAtion, CONcentrate, CONcept, conCEPtion,
conCERN, conCERNing, conCISE, conCLUDE, conCLUsion,
CONcrete, conDEMN, conDItion, conDItional, conDOLE,
CONduct (n), conDUCT (v), conDUCtor, conFER,
CONference, conFESS, conFEssion, conFIDE, CONfidence,
CONfident, confiDENtial, confiDENtially, conFINE,
conFIRM, CONflict (n), conFLICT (V), conFORM, conFUSE,
conFUSion, conGESted, conGEStion, conGRAtulate,
CONjure, coNNECT, coNNECtion, CONquer, CONscience,
CONscious, CONsciousness, conSENT, CONsequence,
CONsequently, conSERvative, conSIder, conSIderable,
conSIderably, conSIderate, consideRAtion, conSIST,
conSPIracy, conSPIRE, conSPIrator, CONstant, conSTRUCT,
conSTRUCtion, conSULT, conSUME, conSUmer,
conSUMPtion, CONtact, conTAIN, conTAINer, CONtemplate,
conTEMPT, conTEMPtuously, conTEMPtible, conTEND,
conTENDed, conTENT (v), CONtent (n), CONtest (n),
conTEST (v), CONtext, conTInue, conTInuous, conTInually,
CONtract (n), conTRACT (v), contraDICT, CONtrary,
CONtrast (n), conTRAST(v), conTRIbute, contriBUtion,
conTROL, conVENience, conVENient, conVENtion,
conVENtional, converSAtion, conVEY, conVEYance,
CONvict (n), conVICT (v), conVICtion, conVINCE, co-

OPerate, co-opeRAtion, Copy, CORdial, CORner, coRRECT,
coRRECtion, correSPOND, correSPONdence, COrridor,
coRRUPT, COSTly, COttage, COtton, COUNTer, COUNtry,
COUNtryside, COUple, COUrage, couRAgeous, COUSin,
COver, COvering, COward, COwardice. • CRACKer, CRAdle,
CRAFTy, CRAZy, creATE, CREAtures, CREdit, CRIMInal,
CRIpple, CRISis, CRItical, CROckery, CROSSroads, CRUel,
CRUelty. • CULtivate, CULtural, CULture, CUnning,
CUPboard, curiOSity, CUrious, CUrrent, CURtain, CURtsey,
CUshion, CUStom, CUStomer, CUTlery. • CYcle, CYclist,
CYlinder.
D: • DAddy, DAIly, DAiry, DAmage, DANcer, DANCing,
DANger, DANgerous, DARKen, DARKness, DARLing,
DAUGHter, DAYlight, DAYtime, DAzzle. • DEAFen, DEALer,
deBATE, deCAY, deCEIVE, deCEIVer, deCEIT, DEcent,
deCIDE, deCIdedly, deCIsion, declaRAtion, deCLARE,
deCLINE, DEcorate, deCREASE, DEdicate, DEEPer, DEEPly,
deFEAT, deFENCE, deFEND, deFINE, DEfinite, Definitely,
defiNItion, deFY, deGREE, deLAY, deLIBerate, DElicate,
deLIcious, deLIGHT, deLIGHTed, deLIGHTful, deLIver,
deLIvery, deMAND, demoCRATic, deMOLish, DEmonstrate,
demonSTRAtion, DENtist, deNY, dePART, dePARTment,
dePARture, dePEND, dePENDant, dePENDence,
dePENDent, dePLORE, dePLORable, dePRESS, DEPuty,
deRIVE, deSCEND, deSCENDant, deSCENT, deSCRIBE,
deSCRIPtion, deSERT (v), DEsert (n), deSERVE, deSIGN,
deSIRable, deSIRE, deSPAIR, DESperate, deSPIcable,
deSPISE, deSPITE, destiNAtion, DEStiny, deSTROY,
deSTRUCtion, DEtail, DEtailed, deTECT, deTECTive,
determiNAtion, deTERmine, deTEST, deTESTable,
deVELop, deVELopment, deVICE, DEvil, deVOTE. • DIal,
DIAlogue, DIamond, DIary, dicTATE, dicTAtion, dicTAtor,
DIffer, DIfference, DIfferent, DIfficult, DIfficulty, diGEST
(v), DIGnity, DInner, diPLOma, diRECT, diRECtion,
diRECTly, diRECTor, DIRTy, disadVANtage, disaGREE,

disaGREEment, disaPPEar, disaPPEarance, disaPPOINT,
disaPPOINTment, disaPPROVal, disaPPROVE, diSASter,
diSAStrous, disCHARGE, DIscipline, disCLOSE, disCOMfort,
disconTENDed, DIScount (n), disCOUNT (v), disCOURage,
diSCOver, diSCOvery, diSCREET, diSCRIMinate,
discrimiNAtion, diSCUSS, diSCUSSion, diSEASE,
disGRACE, disGUISE, disGUST, disHONest, disLIKE,
disMISS, disMISSal, disoBEY, disoBEdient, disORder,
diSPLAY, disPLEASE, diSPOSE, diSPOSal, diSPUTE,
dissatisFACtion, diSSAtisfy, diSSOLVE, DIStance, DIStant,
diSTINCT, diSTINCtion, diSTINCTly, diSTINguish, diSTORT,
diSTORtion, diSTRESS, diSTRIbute, DIStrict, diSTURB,
diSTURBance, diVIDE, diVIsion, diVORCE. • DOCtor,
DOCument, doMEStic, DOminate, DONkey, DOORstep,
DOORway, DOUble, DOUBTful, DOUBTless, downSTAIRS,
DOWNward, DOWNwards, DOzen. • DRAgon, DRAma,
draMAtic, DRAWing, DRAWer, DREADful, DRESSmaking,
DRIVer, DRUNKard, DRYness. • DULLness, DUNgeon,
DURing, DUSTy, DUty.
E: • EAger, EAgerly, EAgle, EARly, EARnest, EARNings,
EARTHquake, EAsily, EASTern, EASTward, EAsy. •
ECho, eCOnomy, ecoNOmic, ecoNOmical. • Edit,
Editor, eDItion, Educate, eduCAtion, eduCAtional. •
eFFECT, eFFECTive, eFFIcient, eFFIciency, Effort. •
EIther. • eLAStic, ELbow, Elder, ELdest, eLEct, eLECtion,
eLECtric, eLECtrical, elecTRIcity, eleMENTary, Element,
Elephant, elseWHERE. • emBArass, emBOdy, emBRACE,
eMERGE, eMERgency, eMOtion, eMOtional, EMphasise,
EMphasis, EMpire, emPLOY, emploYEE, emPLOYer,
emPLOYment, EMPty. • eNAble, enCLOSE, enCOUNter,
enCOUrage, enCOUragement, ENDing, ENDless,
enDURE, enDURance, ENemy, enerGEtic, ENergy,
enGAGE, enGAGED, ENgine, engiNEER, engiNEERing,
enJOY, enJOYable, enJOYment, enLARGE, eNORmous,
eNOUGH, enSURE, ENter, ENterprise, ENterprising,

enterTAIN, enterTAINment, enTHUsiasm, enTHUsiast,
enTHUsiastic, enTIRE, enTIREly, enTItle, ENtrance,
enTREAT, ENtry, ENvelope, enVIRonment, ENvy. • Equal,
eQUAlity, eQUIP, eQUIPment. • eRECT, Error. • eSCAPE,
eSPEcially, Essence, eSSENtial, eSTABlish, eSTATE,
Estimate, eTERnal, eTERnity. • eVALuate, Even, Evening,
eVENT, eVENTually, Ever, everLASTing, Every, Everybody,
Everyday, Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Evidence,
Evident, Evil. • exact (igZAKT), exaggerate (igZAggerate),
exaggeRAtion, examine (igZAMin), example (igZAMple),
EXcellent, except (ikSEPT), exception (ikSEPtion),
excess (ikSES), exCHANGE, excite (ikSAIT), excitement
(ikSAITment), exciting (ikSAITing), exclaim (ikSCLAIM),
exclaMAtion, exclude (ikSCLUDE), exclusive (ikSCLUsive),
excursion (ikSCURsion), excuse (ikSCUSE), EXecute,
EXercise, exhaust (igZOST), exhaustive (igZOSTive),
exhibit (igZIbit), exhiBItion, exist (igZIST), existence
(igZISTance), expand (ikSPAND), expansion (ikSPANsion),
expect (ikSPECT), expense (ikSPENS), expenditure
(ikSPENDiture), expensive (ikSPENsive), experience
(ikSPERience), experienced (ikSPErienced), experiment
(ikSPERiment), experiMENTal, EXpert, explain (ikSPLAIN),
explaNAtion, explode (ikSPLODE), exploit (ikSPLOIT),
exploRAtion, explore (ikSPLORE), explosion (ikSPLOsion),
explosive (ikSPLOsive), export (ikSPORT) (v), EXport (n),
express (ikSPRESS), expression (ikSPREssion), extend
(ikSTEND), extension (ikSTENsion), extent (ikSTENT),
external (ikSTERNal), extinguish (ikSTINguish), EXtra,
extract (ikSTRACT) (v), extraordinarily (ikSTRORdinarily),
extraordinary (ikSTRORdinary), extreme (ikSTREME),
extremely (ikSTREMEly). • EYEbrow, EYElid, EYEsight.
F: • FAble, FACtory, FAILure, FAIRly, FAITHful, faMIliar,
FAMily, FAMous, FANcy, fanTAstic, FARMer, FARMhouse,
FARther, FARthest, FAscinate, FAshion, FAshionable, FAsten,
FAtal, FAther, FAULTless, FAULTy, FAvour, FAvourable,

FAvourite. • FEARful, FEARless, FEAther, FEAture,
FEEble, FEELing, FEllow, FEmale, feROcious, feROcity,
Ferry, FERtile, FEStival, FEver, FEverish. • FICtion,
ficTItious, FIGHTer, FIgure, FILLing, FILter, FILTHy, FInal,
fiNANcial, FINEly, FINger, Finish, FIRMness, FISHerman,
FITness. • FLATTen, FLAtter, FLAvour, FLEXIble, FLICKer,
FLOURish, FLOWer, FLUent, FLUently, FLUtter. • FOGGy,
FOllow, FOllower, FOllowing, FOlly, FONDly, FOOlish,
FOOTpath, FOOTstep, forBID, FOREarm, FOREcast,
FOREfinger, FOREhead, FOreign, FOreigner, foreSEE,
Forest, forGET, forGETful, forGIVE, FORMal, FORmer,
FORmerly, FORmula, FORTnight, FORtunate, FORtunately,
FORtune, FORward, founDAtion, FOUDer, FOUNtain. •
FRACTion, FRACture, FRAMEwork, FRANtic, FRANtically,
FREEly, FREEdom, FREquent, FREquently, FRESHen,
FRICtion, FRIENDly, FRIENDship, FRIGHTen, FRIGHTful,
FRIGHTfully, FRONtier, FRUITful. • FUgitive, fulFILL,
FULLy, FUNCtion, FUneral, FUNNy, FUrious, FURnish,
FURniture, FURther, FUry, FUture.
G: • GAIety, GAIly, GAllant, GAllery, GAMble, GAMbler,
GArage, GARbage, GARden, GARdner, GARDening,
GARment, GATEway, GAther. • GENeral, GENerally,
GENerate, GENerous, GENius, GENtle, GENtleman,
GENtleness, GENtly, GENuine, GESture. • GHASTly. •
giGANtic, GIggle. • GLASSes, GLImmer, GLOry. • GOddess,
GOLDen, GOLDsmith, goodBYE, GOODness, goodNIGHT,
GOSpel, GOssip, GOvern, GOvernment. • GRACEful,
GRACEfully, GRAcious, GRAciously, GRADual, GRADually,
GRADuate, GRAmmar, graMMAtical, GRANDchild,
GRANDdaughter, GRANDfather, GRANDmother,
GRANDparents, GRANDson, GRATEful, GRAtitude,
GREATly, GREATness, GREEDy, GREETings, GRIEVance,
GROcer, GRUMble. • guaranTEE, GUILTy, GUNpowder,
GUtter.
H: • HAbit, haBItual, HAIRcut, haLLO, Hammer,

HANDbag, HANDful, HANdicraft, HANDkerchief, HANdle,
HANDout, HANDsome, HANDsomely, HANDy, HAppen,
HAppy, HAppily, HAppiness, HARbour, HARDen, HARDly,
HARDness, HARMful, HARMless, HARmony, HARSHly,
HARvest, HAsten, HASTy, HATEful, HATred, HAUGHty,
HAzard. • HEADache, HEADing, HEADlight, HEADline,
HEADlong, headMASter, headMIStress, headQUARters,
HEALTHy, HEARTy, HEAven, HEAvy, HEAvily, HEIGHTen,
HELPer, HELPful, HELPless, heREditary, HEritage, HEro,
heROic, herSELF, HEsitate, hesiTAtion. • HIGHway,
HILLside, HILLy, himSELF, HINder, HIStory, hiSTORical.
• HObby, HOLDer, HOliday, HOllow, HOly, home-MADE,
HOMEsick, HOMEwork, HOnest, HOnestly, HOney,
HOneymoon, HOnour, HOnourable, HOPEful, HOPEless,
hoRIzon, HOrrible, HOrror, HOrrified, hoSPITable,
HOspital, HOstage, HOStel, HOSTess, HOStile, hoTEL,
HOUSEhold, HOUSEwife, howEVER. • HUddle, HUman,
huMANity, HUMble, HUmour, HUmourous, HUNger,
HUNgry, HUNTer, huRRAH, huRRAY, HUrricane, HUrry,
HUSband.
I: • iDEa, iDEal, iDENtify, Idle, Idleness, IDly,
IGnorant, igNORE. • iLLEgal, iLLEgally, ILLness, ill-
TREAT, iLLIterate, Illustrate, illuSTRAtion. • Image,
iMAGinable, iMAGinary, imagiNAtion, iMAginative,
iMAgine, Imitate, imiTAtion, immaTURE, iMMEdiate,
iMMEdiately, iMMEnse, iMMORal, iMMORTal, IMpact (n),
imPACT (v), imPART, inPARtial, imPAtience, imPAtient,
imPERfect, imPERsonal, imPLORE, imPLY, impoLITE,
Import (n), imPORT (v), imPORTance, imPORTant,
imPOSSible, imPRESS, imPREssion, imPREssive, imPRIson,
imPRObable, imPROper, imPROVE, imPROVEment. •
inBORN, inCAPable, INcident, inciDENTal, inciDENTally,
incliNAtion, inCLINE, inCLUDE, inCLUDing, INcome,
inCOMparable, incomPATible, inCOMpetent, incomPLETE,
incompreHENSible, inconCEIVable, incoRRECT, inCREASE

(v), INcrease (n), inCREDible, inDEcent, inDEED,
indePENDence, indePENDent, INdex, INdicate, indiCAtion,
inDIfferent, indiRECT, indiVIdually, INdoor, inDOORS,
inDUCE, inDUStrial, inDUStrious, INdustry, ineFFECtive,
ineFFIcient, inEVitable, inEVItably, inFECT, inFECtious,
inFERior, inFLAME, inFLAmmable, inflaMMAtion, inFLICT,
Influence, influENtial, inFORM, inforMAtion, inGEnious,
ingeNUity, inHAbit, inHAbitant, inHERit, iNItial, iNItiative,
inJECT, inJECtion, INjure, INjury, inJUSTice, iNNAte,
Inner, INNocent, iNNUmerable, inQUIRE, inQUIRY,
inQUIsitive, INsect, inSENsible, inSENsitive, inSERT,
inSIDE, INsight, insigNIficant, insinCERE, inSIST, INsolent,
inSPECT, inSPECtion, inSPECTor, inspiRAtion, inSPIRE,
inSTALL, inSTALment, INstance, INstant, INstantly,
inSTEAD, INstitute, instiTUtion, inSTRUCT, inSTRUCtion,
INstrument, instruMENtal, inSULT, inSURance, inSURE,
INtake, INTellect, inteLLECtual, inTELLigence, inTELLigent,
inTELLigible, inTEND, inTENSE, inTENtion, inTENtional,
inTENtionally, INterest, INterested, INteresting, interFERE,
interFERence, inTERior, interMEdiate, inTERnal,
interNAtional, inTERpret, inTERpreter, interpreTAtion,
inteRRUPT, inteRRUption, INterval, interVENE, INterview,
INtimate, inTImidate, INto, inTOLerant, introDUCE,
introDUCtion, inTRUDE, inVADE, inVALid, inVAsion,
inVENT, inVENtion, inVENTor, inVEST, inVEStigate,
investiGAtion, inVESTment, inVISible, inviTAtion, inVITE,
inVOKE, inVOLVE, INward, INwardly, INwards. • Iron,
Irony, Island. • Isolate, Issue, Item, itSELF, Ivory.
J: • JAcket. • JEAlous, JEAlousy, JEOpardize, JEOpardy,
JEtty, JEWel, JEWellery. • JOlly, JOURNal, JOURnalist,
JOURney, JOYful. • JUDGEment, JUNCtion, JUNgle,
JUSTice, JUSTify.
K: • KEttle. • KIlo, KIlometre, kind-HEARTed, KINDness,
KITCHen. • KNOWledge, KNUckle.

L: • LAbel, LAbour, LAdder, LAdy, laMENT, LAMP-post,
LANDlady, LANDlord, LANDscape, LANguage, LATEly,
LATer, LATest, LAtter, LAUGHter, LAUNdry, LAvatory,
LAWyer, LAyer, LAzy. • LEADer, LEADership, LEARNed,
LEARNing, LEAther, LECture, LEgal, LEgend, LEgendary,
LEIsure, LEIsurely, LEmon, lemoNADE, LENGTHen, LESSen,
LEsson, LEtter, LEvel, LEver. • LIable, LIar, LIberal, LIberate,
libeRAtion, LIberty, LIbrary, LIcense, LIGHTen, LIGHTening,
LIKEly, LImit, LINger, LIquid, LIquor, LIsten, LIstener,
LIterary, LIterature, LIttle, LIVElihood, LIVEly, LIVing.
• LObby, LOcal, LOcally, loCATE, LONEliness, LONEly,
LONGing, LOOSen, LOrry, LOUDly, LOVEly, LOVer, LOWer,
LOyal, LOyalty. • LUCKy, LUggage, lukeWARM, LUMber,
LUnatic, LUxury (LUKshery).
M: • maCHINE, maCHInary, MAdam, MADman, MADness,
magaZINE, Magic, maGIcian, Magistrate, MAGnet,
MAGnetic, magNIficent, MAINland, MAINly, mainTAIN,
MAINtenance, MAjesty, MAjor, maJOrity, MAlice, MANage,
MANagement, MANager, manKIND, MANly, MAnner,
MANsion, manuFACture, MANuscript, MAny, MARble,
MARgin, MARket, MArriage, MArried, MArry, MARvel,
MARvellous, MASculine, MAson, MASSES, MASter,
MASterpiece, maTErial, MAtter, MAttress, maTURE,
maTUrity, MAXimum. • MEAgre, MEANing, MEANtime,
MEANwhile, MEAsure, MEAsurement, meCHAnic,
meCHAnical, MEdal, MEddle, MEdia, MEdiate, MEdical,
MEdicine, MEditate, MEdium, MEETing, MEllow, MEMber,
MEMbership, meMOrial, MEmory, MENace, MENtal,
MENtion, MERchant, MERciful, MERciless, MERcy, MEREly,
MERit, MErry, MEssage, MEssenger, MEtal, MEthod,
MEtre. • MIddle, middle-Aged, MIDnight, MIGHTy,
MILEage, MILItary, MILKman, MILKy, MINgle, MINimum,
MINister, MInor, miNOrity, MInute, MIRacle, MIrror,
MISchief, MISchievous, MISerable, MISery, misFORtune,
misLEAD, MISSing, MIssion, miSTAKE, MISter, MIStress,

misunderSTAND, MIXture. • MOdel, MODerate,
MODerately, MODern, MODest, MODesty, MODify, moLEST,
MOment, MOney, MONkey, moNOtonous, MONster,
MONTHly, MONument, MOODy, MOONlight, MOral,
moRAlity, MORNing, MORtally, MORTgage, mosQUIto,
MOSTly, MOther, MOtion, MOtionless, MOtor, MOUNtain,
mouSTACHE, MOUTHful, MOVEment, MOVie. • MUddle,
MUDDy, multipliCAtion, MULtiply, MULtitude, MUmmy,
MURder, MURderer, MURmur, MUscle, muSEUM, MUsic,
MUsical, muSIcian, MUtter, MUtual. • mySELF, MYstery,
mySTErious.
N: • NAked, naRRATE, NArrow, NAsty, NAtion, NAtional,
NAtionality, NAtive, NAtural, NAturally, NAture, NAUGHty,
NAvy. • NEARby, NEARly, NEcessary, neCEssity, NEEdle,
NEEDless, NEgative, neGLECT, NEGligent, NEGligible,
neGOtiate, negotiAtion, NEIGHbour, NEIGHbourhood,
NEIGHbouring, NEIther, NEphew, NERvous, NETwork,
NEver, nevertheLESS, NEWly, NEWSpaper. • NICKname,
NIGHTfall, NIGHTmare. • noBIlity, NOble, NObody, NOISy,
NOminate, NONsense, NORmal, NORmally, NORTHern,
NORTHward, NORTHwards, NOStril, NOTEworthy,
NOthing, NOtice, NOticeable, NOtify, NOtion, noTOrious,
NOURish, NOWadays, NOwhere. • NUcleus, NUIsance,
NUMber, NUmerous.
O: • oBEdience, oBEdient, oBEdiently, oBEY, OBject (n),
obJECT (v), obJECtion, obJECtive, obliGAtion, oBLIgatory,
oBLIGE, obSCURE, obserVAtion, obSERVE, OBsolete,
OBstacle, obSTRUCT, obSTRUCtion, obTAIN, OBvious.
• oCCAsion, oCCAsional, oCCAsionally, occuPAtion,
Occupy, oCCUR, oCCURRence, Ocean, o’CLOCK. • Odour.
• oFFENce, oFFEND, Offer, oFFENsive, Office, Officer,
oFFIcial, Often. • oKAY. • OMElette, oMIT. • oneSELF,
ONly, ONto. • Open, Opening, Operate, opeRAtion,
oPINion, oPPOnent, opporTUNity, oPPOSE, Opposite,

oPPRESS. • Oral, Orange, Orator, ORder, ORderly,
ORdinarily, ORdinary, ORgan, organiZAtion, ORganize,
ORigin, oRIginal, oRIginally, ORnament, ornaMENTal,
ORphan. • Other, Otherwise. • ourSELVES, OUTbreak,
OUTburst, OUTcast, OUTcome, OUTcry, outDATed, outDO,
OUTdoor, outDOORS, OUTer, OUTfit, OUTlaw, OUTlet,
OUTline, outLIVE, OUTlook, outNUMber, OUTput,
OUTrage, outRAGEous, outSIDE, outSIDer, OUTskirts,
outSPOken, outSTANDing, OUTward, OUTwards, Oven,
Over. • overALL, Overboard, Overcoat, overCOME,
overFLOW, overHANG, overHAUL, overHEAR, overLOOK,
overNIGHT, oveRUN, overTAKE, overTHROW, Overtime,
overTURN, overWHELM. • Owing (to), OWNer,
OWNership.
P: • PAckage, PAcket, PAINful, PAINTer, PAINTing, PALace,
PALEness, PANic, Paper, PARachute, paRADE, PAragraph,
PArallel, PARcel, PARdon, PArent, PARlour, PARTly, PARtial,
parTIcipate, PARticle, parTIcular, parTIcularly, parTIculars,
PARTner, part-TIME, PARty, PASSage, PAssenger, passer-BY,
Passion, PASSport, PAStime, PAtience, PAtient, PAtiently,
PAttern, PAVEment, PAYment. • PEACEful, PEAsant,
PEbble, peCUliar, peDEStrian, PENalty, PENcil, PENetrate,
PEnny, PENsion, PEOple, PEpper, perCEIVE, PERfect
(adj), perFECtion, PERfectly, perFORM, perFORMance,
PERfume, perHAPS, Period, periODical, PERmanent,
perMIssion, perMIT, perPETual, perSIST, PERson, PERsonal,
PERsonally, persoNALity, perSUADE, perSUAsion, PETrol,
PEtty. • phiLOsophy, PHOtograph (PHoto), phoTOgrapher,
photoGRAPHic, phoTOgraphy, PHYsical, phySIcian. •
PICKpocket, PICture, pictuRESQUE, PIllar, PIllow, PIlot,
PIty, PIteous, PItiful. • PLASter, PLAStic, PLATform, PLAYer,
PLEAsant, PLEAsure, PLENtiful, PLENty, PLUCKy, PLUMBer,
PLUNder. • POcket, POem, POet, poETic, POetry, POIson,
POIsonous, poLICE, poLICEman, POlicy, POlish, poLITE,
poLITEly, poLITEness, poLItical, poliTIcian, POlitics,

poLLUtion, POpular, popuLARity, POpularly, POpulated,
popuLAtion, PORter, PORtion, porTRAY, PORtrait,
poSItion, POSitive, poSSESS, poSSEssion,(v), poSSESSive,
possiBIlity, POSSible, POSSibly, POSTage, POSTal, POSter,
POSTman, poSTPONE, poTAto, POttery, POverty, POWder,
POwer, POwerful. • PRACtical, PRACtically, PRACtice
(n), PRActise (v), PRAYer, preCEDE, PREcious, preCISE,
PREdecessor, PREface, preFER, PREferable, PREference,
PREGnant, PREjudice, PREjudiced, prepaRAtions, prePARE,
preSCRIBE, preSCRIPtion, PREsence, preSENT (v), PREsent
(n), PREsently, preSERVE, preSIDE, PREsident, PREssure,
preSTIGE, preSUME, preTEND, PREtext, PREtty, preVAIL,
PREvalent, preVENT, preVENtion, PREvious, PRICKles,
PRICKly, PRImary, PRINcipal, PRINciple, PRINTer, PRIson,
PRIsoner, PRIvate, PRIvately, probaBIlity, PROBable,
PROBably, PROBlem, proCEdure, proCEED, PROcess,
proCLAIM, proDUCE (v), PROduce (n), proDUCer,
PROduct, proDUCtion, proFESS, proFEssion, proFEssional,
proFEssor, proFIciency, PROfit, PROgramme, proGRESS (v),
PROgress (n), proGRESSive, proGRESSively, proJECT (v),
PROject (n), PROmise, proMOTE, proMOtion, proNOUNCE,
pronunciAtion, PROper, PROperly, PROperty, proPORtion,
proPOSal, proPOSE, proPRIEtor, PROsper, proSPERity,
PROsperous, proTECT, proTECtion, proTEST(v), PROtest
(n), PROUDly, PROverb, proVIDE, proVIDed, PROvince,
proVIsion, provoCAtion, proVOKE. • psychoLOgical. •
PUBlic, publiCAtion, PUBlish, PUdding, PUddle, PUlley,
PUNCtual, punctuAlity, PUnish, PUnishment, PUpil,
PURchase, PURpose, purSUE, purSUIT, PUzzle.
Q: • qualifiCAtion, QUAlified, QUAlify, QUAlity, QUANtity,
QUArrel, QUARter, QUARterly, QUAver, QUEStion, QUICKly,
QUIetly, QUIetness, QUIver, quoTAtion.
R: • RAbbit, RAcial, RAcialism, RAcket, RAdio, RAILing,
RAILway, RAINbow, RAINcoat, RAINing, RAlly, RApid,

RApidly, RArely, RAther, RAttle, RAzor. • reACT, reACtion,
READer, REAdy, realiZAtion, REalize, reALity, REALLy,
REAson, REAsonable, reBEL (v), REbel (n), reBEllion,
reCALL, reCEIPT, reCEIVE, REcent, REcently, reCEPtion,
REcipe, RECKless, recogNItion, REcognize, reCOIL,
recoLLECT, recoLLECtion, recoMMEND, REconcile,
REcord (n), reCORD (v), reCOver, reCOvery, recreAtion,
reCRUIT, RECtangle, REDDish, reDUCE, reDUCtion,
reFER, refeREE, REference, reFINE, reFLECT, reFLECtion,
reFORM, reFRESH, reFRESHment (s), REfuge, refuGEE,
reFUsal, reFUSE, reGARD, reGARDless, REgion, REgional,
REgister, reGRET, REgular, REgularly, reguLAtion,
reHEARsal, reHEARSE, reinFORCE, reJECT (v), reJOICE,
reLATE, reLAtion, reLAtionship, Relative, Relatively, reLAX,
reLEASE, reLIable, reLIEF, reLIEVE, reLIgion, reLIgious,
reLINquish, reLUCtance, reLUCtant, reLY, reMAIN,
reMAINS, reMARK, reMARKable, reMARKably, REmedy,
reMEMber, reMIND, reMOTE, reMOVal, reMOVE, RENder,
reNEW, reNOWN, reNOWNed, rePAIR, rePEAT, rePENT,
repeTItion, rePLACE, rePLY, rePORT, rePORTer, repreSENT,
repreSENtative, rePROACH, reproDUCE, reproDUCtion,
rePUBlic, repuTAtion, reQUEST, reQUIRE, REScue,
reSEARCH, reSEMblance, reSENT, reserVAtion, reSERVE,
reSIDE, REsidence, REsident, reSIGN, resigNAtion, reSIST,
reSISTance, resoLUtion, reSOLVE, reSORT, reSOURCE (s),
reSPECT, reSPECTful, reSPOND, reSPONSE, responsiBILity,
reSPONsible, REStaurant, RESTless, reSTORE, reSTRAIN,
reSTRICT, reSULT, reSUME, reTAIN, reTIRE, reTIREment,
reTREAT, reTURN, reVEAL, reVENGE, reVERSE, reVIEW,
reVISE, reVOKE, reVOLT, revoLUtion, reVOLVE, reWARD.
• RHYthm. • RIbbon, RIddle, RIDer, riDIculous, RIfle,
RIgid, RIot, RIpen, RISKy, RIval, RIvalry, RIver. • ROBBer,
ROBBery, ROCKy, ROTTen, ROUGHly, ROUNDabout,
rouTINE, ROYal. • RUBBer, Rubbish, RUDEly, Rugged,
RULer, RUmour, RUNNer, RUNway, RUral, RUSTy, RUstle,

RUTHless.
S: • SAcred, SAcrifice, SAddle, SADly, SADness, SAFEly,
SAFEty, SAILor, SALary, SALESman, SALTy, saLUTE,
SAMple, SANDwich, SANDy, SAtire, satisFACtion,
satisFACtory, SAtisfy, SAUcer, SAUSage, SAVage, SAVings.
• SCARCEly, SCARCity, SCAREcrow, SCAtter, SCENery,
SCHEDule, SCHOLarship, SCIence, scienTIfic, SCIentist,
SCIssors, SCORNful, SCULPtor, SCULPture. • SEAside,
SEAson, SECond, SECondary, second-HAND, SECret,
SECretary, SECtion, seCURE, seCURity, seDUCE, SELdom,
seLECT, seLECtion, self-CONfident, self-CONScious,
self-conTROL, self-INTerest, self-MADE, self-reSPECT,
self-SERvice, SELfish, SELLer, SENDer, senSAtion,
SENSEless, SENsible, SENsitive, SENtense, SENtiment,
SEParate, SEParately, sepaRAtion, SERial, SERies, SErious,
SEriously, SERmon, SERpent, SERvant, SERvice, SEssion,
SETTing, SEttle, SEttlement, SEveral, seVERE, SEXual,
SEXy. • SHAbby, SHAdow, SHAdowy, SHADy, SHAllow,
SHAMEful, SHAMEless, SHAPEless, SHARPen, SHARPly,
SHAtter, SHELter, SHIMMer, SHINy, SHIver, SHOElace,
SHOPkeeper, SHOPPing, SHORTage, SHORTer, SHORTly,
SHORTcoming, SHOULder, SHOWer, SHUdder. • SICKness,
SIDEwork, SIDEways, SIGHTseeing, SIGnal, SIGnature,
SIGnify, sigNIficant, SIlence, SIlent, SIlently, SIlly, SIlver,
SImilar, simiLArity, SImilarly, SIMple, simPLIcity, SIMply,
sinCERE, sinCERity, SINGer, SINgle, SINgular, SISter,
SItuated, situAtion. • SKELeton, SKILful, SKILfully,
SKILLed. • SLACKen, SLAUGHter, SLAvery, SLEEpy,
SLENder, SLIGHTly, SLIPPer, SLIPPery, SLIPshod, SLOWly.
• SNAPshot. • SOber, so-CALLED, SOcial, soCIEty, SOFTen,
SOFTly, SOFTness, SOLdier, SOLemn, SOLid, SOLitary,
SOLitude, soLUtion, SOMEbody, SOMEhow, SOMEone,
SOMEthing, SOMEtime, SOMEtimes, SOMEwhere, SOrrow,
SOrrowful, SOrry, SOUTHern, SOUTHward, SOUTHwards,
souveNIR, SOVereign. • SPAcious, SPARKle, SPEAKer,

SPEcial, SPEcialist, SPECtacle, SPECtacles, specTAtor,
SPECulate, SPEEDy, speeDOmeter, SPELLing, SPIrit,
SPITEful, SPLENdid, SPORTSman, SPRINkle. • STAble,
STAdium, STAgger, STAIRcase, STAmmer, STANdard,
STANdardise, STARtle, starVAtion, STATEment, STAtion,
STAtionery, STAtue, STEADfast, STEAdy, STICKy, STIFFen,
STILLness, STINgy, STOCKing, STOMach, STONy,
STORage, STORey, STORMy, STORy, STRAIGHTen,
STRANGEly, STRANGer, STRENGTHen, STRETCHer,
STRICTly, STRIKing, STRONGly, STRUCture, STRUggle,
STUbborn, STUdent, STUdy, STUFFy, STUpid, stuPIdity,
STURdy, STUtter. • subDUE, SUBject (n), subMIT,
SUBstance, SUBstitute, SUBtle, SUBtract, SUburb, succeed
(sukSEED), success (sukSESS), sucCESSful, SUdden,
SUddenly, SUffer, suFFIcient, SUgar, suGGEST, suGGEStion,
SUIcide, SUITable, SUITcase, SUMMary, SUmmer, SUmmon,
SUmmons, SUNlight, SUNrise, SUNset, SUNshine, SUNNy,
suPERior, SUpermarket, superSTItion, superSTItious,
SUpper, suPPLY, suPPORT, suPPOSE, suPPRESS, suPREME,
SUREly, SURface, SURgeon, SURgery, surPRISE,
suRRENder, suRROUND, suRROUNDings, SURvey (n),
surVEY (v), surVIVE, suSPECT, suSPIcion, suSPIcious,
suSTAIN. • SWAllow, SWAMpy, SWEATer, SWEETen,
SWEETly, SWEETness, SWOllen, SWELLing, SWIFTly. •
SYMbol, SYMpathise, SYMpathy, SYStem, systeMAtic.
T: • TAble, TAble-cloth, TABlet, TACKle, TAIlor, TARget,
TAXpayer, TEACHer, TEAcup, TEENager(s), TELegram,
TElephone, TElevision, TEMper, TEMperate, TEMperature,
TEMple, TEMporarily, TEMporary, TENant, TENdency,
TENder, TENsion, TERminal, TErrible, TErribly, teRRIfic,
TErrify, TErritory, TError, TErrorist. • THANKful, THEatre,
themSELVES, THEory, THEREfore, therMOmeter, THICKen,
THICKness, THINKer, THIRSTy, THOrough, THOroughly,
THOUGHTful, THOUGHTless, THREAten, THRILLer,
throughOUT, THUNder, THUNderstorm. • TIcket, TIdy,

TIGHTen, TIGHTly, TIMber, TIny, TItle. • toDAY, toGEther,
TOilet, TOken, TOlerable, TOlerably, TOlerate, toMAto,
toMOrrow, toNIGHT, TOpic, TORture, TOtal, TOURist,
toWARD(S), TOWel, TOWer. • TRADer, traDItion,
traDItional, TRAffic, TRAItor, TRAMple, TRANSfer(n),
transFER (v), transFORM, tranSIStor, transLATE,
tranSLAtion, transMIT, transPARent, tranSPORT (v),
TRANsport (n), TRAvel, TRAveller, TREAson, TREAsure,
TREATment, TREMble, treMENdous, TRESpass, TRIangle,
TRIfle, TRIgger, TRIumph, TROUble, TROUblesome,
TROUsers, TRUMpet. • TUMble, TUnnel, TURNing. •
TYPEwriter, TYPist.
U: • UGly. • ULtimate. • umBRElla, UMpire. • unAble,
unARMED, unBUtton, unCERtain, unCERtainty, UNcle,
unCOMfortable, unCOmmon, unCONscious, UNder,
UNderground, UNdergrowth, underLINE, underSTAND,
underSTANDing, UNderstatement, underTAKE, UNderwear,
unDO, unDRESS, unEAsy, unemPLOYment, unFAIR,
unFORtunately, unHAppy, Uniform, Union, uNIQUE, Unit,
uNITE, Unity, uniVERsal, UNIverse, uniVERsity, unJUST,
unKIND, unKNOWN, unLAWful, unLESS, unLIKE, unLIKEly,
unLOAD, unLOCK, unLUCKy, unNECessary, unPLEASant,
unsatisFACtory, unTIdy, unTIE, unTIL, unUsual, unWILLing.
• upHILL, upHOLD, UPkeep, uPON, Upper, Uppermost,
UPright, UProar, upROOT, upSET, upSTAIRS, UPward,
UPwards. • URban, URgent, URgently. • USEful,
USEfulness, USEless, Usual, Usually, UTmost, Utter.
V: • VAcancy, VAcant, vaCAtion, VAcuum, VAliant,
VAliantly, VAlid, VAlley, VAlour, VAluable, VAlueless, VANish,
variAtion, vaRIEty, VArious, VAry. • VEgetable, VEhicle,
VENgeance, VENture, veRANdah, VERify, VERtical, VEry,
VEssel. • VIcious, VIciously, VICtim, VICtor, vicTOrious,
VICtory, VIGour, VIllage, VIolate, VIolence, VIolent, VIRtue,
VIRtuous, VISible, VIsion, VISit, VISitor(s), VItal, VIVid. •

voCABulary, VOLTage, VOLume, VOLuntarily, VOLuntary,
volunTEER, VOMit, VOTer, VOYage. • VULgar.
W: • WAgon, WAITor, WAKen, WAllet, WANder, WARdrobe,
WAREhouse, WARMly, WARNing, WASTEful, WATCHdog,
WATCHman, WAter, WAterproof, WAtery. • WEAKen,
WEAKness, WEALTHy, WEAPon, WEATHer, WEDDing,
WEEKday, WEEKend, WEEKly, WELcome, WELfare, well-
KNOWN, well-MADE, WESTern, WESTward, WESTwards.
• whatEVer, whenEVer, wherEVer, WHETHer, whichEVer,
WHIMper, WHISker, WHISper, WHIStle, WHITEness,
whoEVer, WHOLLy. • WIDEly, WIDEn, WIDEspread,
WIDow, WILLing, WINdow, WINNer, WINDy, WINter,
WISdom, WISEly, WITTy, withDRAW, wiTHIN, wiTHOUT,
WITness. • WOMan, WOMen, WONder, WONderful,
WOODen, WOOLLen, WORKer, WORKshop, world-WIDE,
WOrry, WORship, WORTHless, worthWHILE, WORTHy. •
WRINkle, WRINKled, WRITer, WRITing.
XYZ: • YEARly, YEllow, YESterday. • YOUNGster, yourSELF,
yourSELVES.
***
S tresswise list of Polysyllabic Words 71
chapter 5
Stresswise list
of Polysyllabic Words
Here’s a listing of these same polysyllabic words as we saw in
the last chapter — given in a different way. This new listing
categorises these words according to the syllable on which the
primary stress falls.
Category 1:
Here are the core polysyllabic words in which the primary stess
falls on the first syllable:
A
Able, ABsence, ABsent, ABsolute, ABsolutely, ABsorbing,
ACcent, ACcident, ACCUrate, ACtion, ACTive, ACTively,
ACtual, ACtually, ADequate, ADmirable, ADult, ADvertise,
AFter, AFTerwards, Agency, Agent, AIMless, AIRport,
ALcohol, ALmost, ALso, ALter, ALways, ANalyse, ANchor,
ANcient, ANger, ANgle, ANgry, ANimal, ANkle, ANnual,
ANswer, ANxious, Any, Anybody, Anyhow, Anyone,
Anything, Anyway, Anywhere, Appetite, Applicant,
Area, ARgue, ARgument, ARmy, Arrow, ARticle, ARTist,
ATmosphere, Attitude, AUdience, AUthor, Average, AWful,
AWKward.
B
BAby, BACKbone, BACKground, BACKward, BACKwards,
BADly, BAggage, BALance, BALcony, BANDage, BANKer,
BANKrupt, BARber, BARgain, BArrel, BASEment, BAsic,
BAsin, BAsis, BASket, BATHroom, BAtter, BAttle, BEAUtiful,
72 S tresswise list of Polysyllabic Words
BEAUty, BEckon, BEDclothes, BEDroom, BEDside, BEggar,

BEing, BElly, BEnefit, BEtter, BIcycle, BIRTHday, BIScuit,
Bitter, BItterness, BLACKmail, BLACKsmith, BLAdder,
BLANket, BLESSing, BLOODy, BLOssom, BLUNder, BOdy,
BOLDness, BOMBing, BONy, BOOKshelf, BOOKshop,
BORder, BORing, BOrrow, BOther, BOttle, BOttom,
BOUNDary, BOWels, BRAvery, BREAKdown, BREAKfast,
BRIDEgroom, BRIEFcase, BRIGHTen, BROADcast,
BROADen, BROther, BUbble, BUcket, BUdget, BUILDing,
BULKy, BUllet, BULLy, BUMper, BUNdle, BURden, BURGlar,
BUrial, BUry, BUSiness, BUSinessman, BUsy, BUtcher,
BUtter, BUtton, BUttonhole, BYpass, Bystander.
C
CAbin, CAbinet, CAble, CAfe, CALculate, CALender,
CALMness, CAmera, CANcel, CANdle, CANvas, CApable,
CAPital, CAPtain, CAPture, CARbon, CARDboard, CAREful,
CAREless, CARpenter, CARpet, CArriage, CArry, CAstle,
CAsual, CAsualty, CAtalogue, CAttle, CAUtion, CAUtious,
CEILing, CELebrate, CELebrated, CEllar, CEmetery,
CENtimetre, CENtral, CENtre, CENtury, CEremony,
CERtain, CERtainly, CERtainty, CERtify, CHAIRman,
CHAllenge, CHAMpion, CHAnnel, CHApter, CHAracter,
CHAtter, CHAUffeur, CHEERful, CHEMical, CHERish,
CHIcken, CHILDhood, CHILDish, CHILDren, CHIMney,
CHOcolate, CHUBBy, CIRcle, CIRcuit, CIRcular, CIRculate,
CIRcumstance, CIRcus, CItizen, CIty, CIvil, CIvilize, CLArify,
CLASSical, CLASSify, CLASSroom, CLEARing, CLEver,
CLImate, CLImax, Clnema, CLOCKwork, CLOTHing,
CLOUDy, CLUMsy, CLUSter, COffee, COffee-pot, COllar,
COlleague, COllege, COlony, COlour, COlourful, COlumn,
COmedy, COMfort, COMfortable, COmment, COmmentary,
COmmentator, COmmerce, COmmon, COmmonplace,
COMpany, COMplex, COMplicate, COMplicated,
COMpound, COMrade, CONcentrate, CONcept, CONcrete,

CONduct (n), CONference, CONfidence, CONfident,
CONflict (n), CONjure, CONquer, CONscience, CONscious,
CONsciousness, CONsequence, CONsequently, CONstant,
CONtact, CONtemplate, CONtent (n), CONtest (n),
CONtext, CONtract (n), CONtrary, CONtrast (n),
CONvict (n), Copy, CORdial, CORner, COrridor, COSTly,
COttage, COtton, COUNTer, COUNtry, COUNtryside,
COUple, COUrage, COUSin, COver, COvering, COward,
COwardice, CRACKer, CRAdle, CRAFTy, CRAZy, CREAtures,
CREdit, CRIMInal, CRIpple, CRISis, CRItical, CROckery,
CROSSroads, CRUel, CRUelty, CULtivate, CULtural,
CULture, CUnning, CUPboard, CUrious, CUrrent, CURtain,
CURtsey, CUshion, CUStom, CUStomer, CUTlery, CYcle,
CYclist, Cylinder.
D
DAddy, DAIly, DAiry, DAmage, DANcer, DANCing, DANger,
DANgerous, DARKen, DARKness, DARLing, DAUGHter,
DAYlight, DAYtime, DAzzle, DEAFen, DEALer, DEcent,
DEcorate, DEdicate, DEEPer, DEEPly, DEfinite, Definitely,
DElicate, DEmonstrate, DENtist, DEPuty, DEsert (n),
DESperate, DEStiny, DEtail, DEtailed, DEvil, DIal, DIAlogue,
DIamond, DIary, DIffer, DIfference, DIfferent, DIfficult,
DIfficulty, DIGnity, DInner, DIRTy, DIscipline, DIScount (n),
DIStance, DIStant, DIStrict, DOCtor, DOCument, DOminate,
DONkey, DOORstep, DOORway, DOUble, DOUBTful,
DOUBTless, DOWNward, DOWNwards, DOzen, DRAgon,
DRAma, DRAWer, DRAWing, DREADful, DRESSmaking,
DRIVer, DRUNKard, DRYness, DULLness, DUNgeon,
DURing, DUSTy, Duty.
E
EAger, EAgerly, EAgle, EARly, EARnest, EARNings,
EARTHquake, EAsily, EASTern, EASTward, EAsy, ECho,

Edit, Editor, Educate, Effort, EIther, ELbow, Elder, ELdest,
Element, Elephant, EMphasis, EMphasise, EMpire,
EMPty, ENDing, ENDless, ENemy, ENergy, ENgine, ENter,
ENterprise, ENterprising, ENtrance, ENtry, ENvelope, ENvy,
Equal, Error, Essence, Estimate, Even, Evening, Ever, Every,
Everybody, Everyday, Everyone, Everything, Everywhere,
Evidence, Evident, Evil, EXcellent, EXecute, EXercise,
EXpert, EXport (n), EXtra, EYEbrow, EYElid, EYEsight.
F
FAble, FACtory, FAILure, FAIRly, FAITHful, FAMily, FAMous,
FANcy, FARMer, FARMhouse, FARther, FARthest, FAscinate,
FAshion, FAshionable, FAsten, FAtal, FAther, FAULTless,
FAULTy, FAvour, FAvourable, FAvourite, FEARful, FEARless,
FEAther, FEAture, FEEble, FEELing, FEllow, FEmale,
Ferry, FERtile, FEStival, FEver, FEverish, FICtion, FIGHTer,
FIgure, FILLing, FILter, FILTHy, FInal, FINEly, FINger,
Finish, FIRMness, FISHerman, FITness, FLATTen, FLAtter,
FLAvour, FLEXIble, FLICKer, FLOURish, FLOWer, FLUent,
FLUently, FLUtter, FOGGy, FOllow, FOllower, FOllowing,
FOlly, FONDly, FOOlish, FOOTpath, FOOTstep, FOREarm,
FOREcast, FOREfinger, FOREhead, FOreign, FOreigner,
Forest, FORMal, FORmer, FORmerly, FORmula, FORTnight,
FORtunate, FORtunately, FORtune, FORward, FOUDer,
FOUNtain, FRACTion, FRACture, FRAMEwork, FRANtic,
FRANtically, FREEdom, FREEly, FREquent, FREquently,
FRESHen, FRICtion, FRIENDly, FRIENDship, FRIGHTen,
FRIGHTful, FRIGHTfully, FRONtier, FRUITful, FUgitive,
FULLy, FUNCtion, FUneral, FUNNy, FUrious, FURnish,
FURniture, FURther, FUry, Future.
G
GAIety, GAIly, GAllant, GAllery, GAMble, GAMbler, GArage,
GARbage, GARden, GARDening, GARdner, GARment,

GATEway, GAther, GENeral, GENerally, GENerate,
GENerous, GENius, GENtle, GENtleman, GENtleness,
GENtly, GENuine, GESture, GHASTly, GIggle, GLASSes,
GLImmer, GLOry, GOddess, GOLDen, GOLDsmith,
GOODness, GOSpel, GOssip, GOvern, GOvernment,
GRACEful, GRACEfully, GRAcious, GRAciously, GRADual,
GRADually, GRADuate, GRAmmar, GRANDchild,
GRANDdaughter, GRANDfather, GRANDmother,
GRANDparents, GRANDson, GRATEful, GRAtitude,
GREATly, GREATness, GREEDy, GREETings, GRIEVance,
GROcer, GRUMble, GUILTy, GUNpowder, Gutter.
H
HAbit, HAIRcut, Hammer, HANDbag, HANDful, HANdicraft,
HANDkerchief, HANdle, HANDout, HANDsome,
HANDsomely, HANDy, HAppen, HAppily, HAppiness,
HAppy, HARbour, HARDen, HARDly, HARDness, HARMful,
HARMless, HARmony, HARSHly, HARvest, HAsten, HASTy,
HATEful, HATred, HAUGHty, HAzard, HEADache, HEADing,
HEADlight, HEADline, HEADlong, HEALTHy, HEARTy,
HEAven, HEAvily, HEAvy, HEIGHTen, HELPer, HELPful,
HELPless, HEritage, HEro, HEsitate, HIGHway, HILLside,
HILLy, HINder, HIStory, HObby, HOLDer, HOliday, HOllow,
HOly, HOMEsick, HOMEwork, HOnest, HOnestly, HOney,
HOneymoon, HOnour, HOnourable, HOPEful, HOPEless,
HOrrible, HOrrified, HOrror, HOspital, HOstage, HOStel,
HOSTess, HOStile, HOUSEhold, HOUSEwife, HUddle,
HUman, HUMble, HUmour, HUmourous, HUNger, HUNgry,
HUNTer, HUrricane, HUrry, HUSband.
I
Idle, Idleness, IDly, IGnorant, ILLness, Illustrate, Image,
Imitate, IMpact (n), Import (n), INcident, INcome, INcrease
(n), INdex, INdicate, INdoor, INdustry, Influence, INjure,

INjury, Inner, INNocent, INsect, INsight, INsolent, INstance,
INstant, INstantly, INstitute, INstrument, INtake, INTellect,
INterest, INterested, INteresting, INterval, INterview,
INtimate, INto, INward, INwardly, INwards, Iron, Irony,
Island, Isolate, Issue, Item, Ivory.
J
JAcket, JEAlous, JEAlousy, JEOpardize, JEOpardy, JEtty,
JEWel, JEWellery, JOlly, JOURNal, JOURnalist, JOURney,
JOYful, JUDGEment, JUNCtion, JUNgle, JUSTice, JUSTify.
K
KEttle, KIlo, KIlometre, KINDness, KITCHen, KNOWledge,
KNUckle.
L
LAbel, LAbour, LAdder, LAdy, LAMP-post, LANDlady,
LANDlord, LANDscape, LANguage, LATEly, LATer, LATest,
LAtter, LAUGHter, LAUNdry, LAvatory, LAWyer, LAyer,
LAzy, LEADer, LEADership, LEARNed, LEARNing, LEAther,
LECture, LEgal, LEgend, LEgendary, LEIsure, LEIsurely,
LEmon, LENGTHen, LESSen, LEsson, LEtter, LEvel, LEver,
LIable, LIar, LIberal, LIberate, LIberty, LIbrary, LIcense,
LIGHTen, LIGHTening, LIKEly, LImit, LINger, LIquid, LIquor,
LIsten, LIstener, LIterary, LIterature, LIttle, LIVElihood,
LIVEly, LIVing, LObby, LOcal, LOcally, LONEliness, LONEly,
LONGing, LOOSen, LOrry, LOUDly, LOVEly, LOVer, LOWer,
LOyal, LOyalty, LUCKy, LUggage, LUMber, LUnatic, LUxury
(LUKshery).
M
MAdam, MADman, MADness, Magic, Magistrate, MAGnet,
MAGnetic, MAINland, MAINly, MAINtenance, MAjesty,

MAjor, MAlice, MANage, MANagement, MANager, MANly,
MAnner, MANsion, MANuscript, MAny, MARble, MARgin,
MARket, MArriage, MArried, MArry, MARvel, MARvellous,
MASculine, MAson, MASSES, MASter, MASterpiece,
MAtter, MAttress, MAXimum, MEAgre, MEANing,
MEANtime, MEANwhile, MEAsure, MEAsurement, MEdal,
MEddle, MEdia, MEdiate, MEdical, MEdicine, MEditate,
MEdium, MEETing, MEllow, MEMber, MEMbership,
MEmory, MENace, MENtal, MENtion, MERchant,
MERciful, MERciless, MERcy, MEREly, MERit, MErry,
MEssage, MEssenger, MEtal, MEthod, MEtre, MIddle,
MIDnight, MIGHTy, MILEage, MILItary, MILKman, MILKy,
MINgle, MINimum, MINister, MInor, MInute, MIRacle,
MIrror, MISchief, MISchievous, MISerable, MISery,
MISSing, MIssion, MISter, MIStress, MIXture, MOdel,
MODerate, MODerately, MODern, MODest, MODesty,
MODify, MOment, MOney, MONkey, MONster, MONTHly,
MONument, MOODy, MOONlight, MOral, MORNing,
MORtally, MORTgage, MOSTly, MOther, MOtion,
MOtionless, MOtor, MOUNtain, MOUTHful, MOVEment,
MOVie, MUddle, MUDDy, MULtiply, MULtitude, MUmmy,
MURder, MURderer, MURmur, MUscle, MUsic, MUsical,
MUtter, MUtual, Mystery.
N
NAked, NArrow, NAsty, NAtion, NAtional, NAtionality,
NAtive, NAtural, NAturally, NAture, NAUGHty, NAvy,
NEARby, NEARly, NEcessary, NEEdle, NEEDless, NEgative,
NEGligent, NEGligible, NEIGHbour, NEIGHbourhood,
NEIGHbouring, NEIther, NEphew, NERvous, NETwork,
NEver, NEWly, NEWSpaper, NICKname, NIGHTfall,
NIGHTmare, NOble, NObody, NOISy, NOminate,
NONsense, NORmal, NORmally, NORTHern, NORTHward,
NORTHwards, NOStril, NOTEworthy, NOthing, NOtice,

NOticeable, NOtify, NOtion, NOURish, NOWadays,
NOwhere, NUcleus, NUIsance, NUMber, Numerous.
O
OBject (n), OBsolete, OBstacle, OBvious, Occupy, Ocean,
Odour, Offer, Office, Officer, Often, OMElette, ONly, ONto,
Open, Opening, Operate, Opposite, Oral, Orange, Orator,
ORder, ORderly, ORdinarily, ORdinary, ORgan, ORganize,
ORigin, ORnament, ORphan, Other, Otherwise, OUTbreak,
OUTburst, OUTcast, OUTcome, OUTcry, OUTdoor, OUTer,
OUTfit, OUTlaw, OUTlet, OUTline, OUTlook, OUTput,
OUTrage, OUTskirts, OUTward, OUTwards, Oven, Over,
Overboard, Overcoat, Overtime, Owing (to), OWNer,
OWNership.
P
PAckage, PAcket, PAINful, PAINTer, PAINTing, PALace,
PALEness, PANic, Paper, PARachute, PAragraph, PArallel,
PARcel, PARdon, PArent, PARlour, PARtial, PARticle, PARTly,
PARTner, PARty, PASSage, PAssenger, Passion, PASSport,
PAStime, PAtience, PAtient, PAtiently, PAttern, PAVEment,
PAYment, PEACEful, PEAsant, PEbble, PENalty, PENcil,
PENetrate, PEnny, PENsion, PEOple, PEpper, PERfect
(adj), PERfectly, PERfume, Period, PERmanent, PERson,
PERsonal, PERsonally, PETrol, PEtty, PHOtograph (PHoto),
PHYsical, PICKpocket, PICture, PIllar, PIllow, PIlot, PIteous,
PItiful, PIty, PLASter, PLAStic, PLATform, PLAYer, PLEAsant,
PLEAsure, PLENtiful, PLENty, PLUCKy, PLUMBer, PLUNder,
POcket, POem, POet, POetry, POIson, POIsonous, POlicy,
POlish, POlitics, POpular, POpularly, POpulated, PORter,
PORtion, PORtrait, POSitive, POSSible, POSSibly, POSTage,
POSTal, POSter, POSTman, POttery, POverty, POWder,
POwer, POwerful, PRACtical, PRACtically, PRACtice (n),
PRActise (v), PRAYer, PREcious, PREdecessor, PREface,

PREferable, PREference, PREGnant, PREjudice, PREjudiced,
PREsence, PREsent (n), PREsently, PREsident, PREssure,
PREtext, PREtty, PREvalent, PREvious, PRICKles, PRICKly,
PRImary, PRINcipal, PRINciple, PRINTer, PRIson, PRIsoner,
PRIvate, PRIvately, PROBable, PROBably, PROBlem,
PROcess, PROduce (n), PROduct, PROfit, PROgramme,
PROgress (n), PROject (n), PROmise, PROper, PROperly,
PROperty, PROsper, PROsperous, PROtest (n), PROUDly,
PROverb, PROvince, PUBlic, PUBlish, PUdding, PUddle,
PUlley, PUNCtual, PUnish, PUnishment, PUpil, PURchase,
PURpose, Puzzle.
Q
QUAlified, QUAlify, QUAlity, QUANtity, QUArrel, QUARter,
QUARterly, QUAver, QUEStion, QUICKly, QUIetly,
QUIetness, QUIver.
R
RAbbit, RAcial, RAcialism, RAcket, RAdio, RAILing,
RAILway, RAINbow, RAINcoat, RAINing, RAlly, RApid,
RApidly, RArely, RAther, RAttle, RAzor, READer, REAdy,
REalize, REALLy, REAson, REAsonable, REbel (n), REcent,
REcently, REcipe, RECKless, REcognize, REconcile,
REcord (n), RECtangle, REDDish, REference, REfuge,
REgion, REgional, REgister, REgular, REgularly, Relative,
Relatively, REmedy, RENder, REScue, REsidence, REsident,
REStaurant, RESTless, RHYthm, RIbbon, RIddle,
RIDer, RIfle, RIgid, RIot, RIpen, RISKy, RIval, RIvalry,
RIver, ROBBer, ROBBery, ROCKy, ROTTen, ROUGHly,
ROUNDabout, ROYal, RUBBer, Rubbish, RUDEly, Rugged,
RULer, RUmour, RUNNer, RUNway, RUral, RUstle, RUSTy,
RUTHless.
S
SAcred, SAcrifice, SAddle, SADly, SADness, SAFEly, SAFEty,
SAILor, SALary, SALESman, SALTy, SAMple, SANDwich,
SANDy, SAtire, SAtisfy, SAUcer, SAUSage, SAVage,
SAVings, SCARCEly, SCARCity, SCAREcrow, SCAtter,
SCENery, SCHEDule, SCHOLarship, SCIence, SCIentist,
SCIssors, SCORNful, SCULPtor, SCULPture, SEAside,
SEAson, SECond, SECondary, SECret, SECretary, SECtion,
SELdom, SELfish, SELLer, SENDer, SENSEless, SENsible,
SENsitive, SENtense, SENtiment, SEParate, SEParately,
SERial, SERies, SErious, SEriously, SERmon, SERpent,
SERvant, SERvice, SEssion, SETTing, SEttle, SEttlement,
SEveral, SEXual, SEXy, SHAbby, SHAdow, SHAdowy,
SHADy, SHAllow, SHAMEful, SHAMEless, SHAPEless,
SHARPen, SHARPly, SHAtter, SHELter, SHIMMer, SHINy,
SHIver, SHOElace, SHOPkeeper, SHOPPing, SHORTage,
SHORTcoming, SHORTer, SHORTly, SHOULder, SHOWer,
SHUdder, SICKness, SIDEways, SIDEwork, SIGHTseeing,
SIGnal, SIGnature, SIGnify, SIlence, SIlent, SIlently,
SIlly, SIlver, SImilar, SImilarly, SIMple, SIMply, SINGer,
SINgle, SINgular, SISter, SItuated, SKELeton, SKILful,
SKILfully, SKILLed, SLACKen, SLAUGHter, SLAvery, SLEEpy,
SLENder, SLIGHTly, SLIPPer, SLIPPery, SLIPshod, SLOWly,
SNAPshot, SOber, SOcial, SOFTen, SOFTly, SOFTness,
SOLdier, SOLemn, SOLid, SOLitary, SOLitude, SOMEbody,
SOMEhow, SOMEone, SOMEthing, SOMEtime, SOMEtimes,
SOMEwhere, SOrrow, SOrrowful, SOrry, SOUTHern,
SOUTHward, SOUTHwards, SOVereign, SPAcious, SPARKle,
SPEAKer, SPEcial, SPEcialist, SPECtacle, SPECtacles,
SPECulate, SPEEDy, SPELLing, SPIrit, SPITEful, SPLENdid,
SPORTSman, SPRINkle, STAble, STAdium, STAgger,
STAIRcase, STAmmer, STANdard, STANdardise, STARtle,
STATEment, STAtion, STAtionery, STAtue, STEADfast,
STEAdy, STICKy, STIFFen, STILLness, STINgy, STOCKing,
STOMach, STONy, STORage, STORey, STORMy, STORy,
STRAIGHTen, STRANGEly, STRANGer, STRENGTHen,

STRETCHer, STRICTly, STRIKing, STRONGly, STRUCture,
STRUggle, STUbborn, STUdent, STUdy, STUFFy, STUpid,
STURdy, STUtter, SUBject (n), SUBstance, SUBstitute,
SUBtle, SUBtract, SUburb, SUdden, SUddenly, SUffer,
SUgar, SUIcide, SUITable, SUITcase, SUMMary, SUmmer,
SUmmon, SUmmons, SUNlight, SUNNy, SUNrise, SUNset,
SUNshine, SUpermarket, SUpper, SUREly, SURface,
SURgeon, SURgery, SURvey (n), SWAllow, SWAMpy,
SWEATer, SWEETen, SWEETly, SWEETness, SWELLing,
SWIFTly, SWOllen, SYMbol, SYMpathise, SYMpathy,
SYStem.
T
TAble, TAble-cloth, TABlet, TACKle, TAIlor, TARget,
TAXpayer, TEACHer, TEAcup, TEENager(s), TELegram,
TElephone, TElevision, TEMper, TEMperate, TEMperature,
TEMple, TEMporarily, TEMporary, TENant, TENdency,
TENder, TENsion, TERminal, TErrible, TErribly, TErrify,
TErritory, TError, TErrorist, THANKful, THEatre, THEory,
THEREfore, THICKen, THICKness, THINKer, THIRSTy,
THOrough, THOroughly, THOUGHTful, THOUGHTless,
THREAten, THRILLer, THUNder, THUNderstorm, TIcket,
TIdy, TIGHTen, TIGHTly, TIMber, TIny, TItle, TOilet,
TOken, TOlerable, TOlerably, TOlerate, TOpic, TORture,
TOtal, TOURist, TOWel, TOWer, TRADer, TRAffic,
TRAItor, TRAMple, TRANSfer(n), TRANsport (n), TRAvel,
TRAveller, TREAson, TREAsure, TREATment, TREMble,
TRESpass, TRIangle, TRIfle, TRIgger, TRIumph, TROUble,
TROUblesome, TROUsers, TRUMpet, TUMble, TUnnel,
TURNing, TYPEwriter, TYPist.
U
UGly, ULtimate, UMpire, UNcle, UNder, UNderground,
UNdergrowth, UNderstatement, UNderwear, Uniform,

Union, Unit, Unity, UNIverse, UPkeep, Upper, Uppermost,
UPright, UProar, UPward, UPwards, URban, URgent,
URgently, USEful, USEfulness, USEless, Usual, Usually,
UTmost, Utter.
V
VAcancy, VAcant, VAcuum, VAliant, VAliantly, VAlid,
VAlley, VAlour, VAluable, VAlueless, VANish, VArious,
VAry, VEgetable, VEhicle, VENgeance, VENture, VERify,
VERtical, VEry, VEssel, VIcious, VIciously, VICtim, VICtor,
VICtory, VIGour, VIllage, VIolate, VIolence, VIolent, VIRtue,
VIRtuous, VISible, VIsion, VISit, VISitor(s), VItal, VIVid,
VOLTage, VOLume, VOLuntarily, VOLuntary, VOMit, VOTer,
VOYage, VULgar.
W
WAgon, WAITor, WAKen, WAllet, WANder, WARdrobe,
WAREhouse, WARMly, WARNing, WASTEful, WATCHdog,
WATCHman, WAter, WAterproof, WAtery, WEAKen,
WEAKness, WEALTHy, WEAPon, WEATHer, WEDDing,
WEEKday, WEEKend, WEEKly, WELcome, WELfare,
WESTern, WESTward, WESTwards, WHETHer, WHIMper,
WHISker, WHISper, WHIStle, WHITEness, WHOLLy,
WIDEly, WIDEn, WIDEspread, WIDow, WILLing, WINdow,
WINDy, WINNer, WINter, WISdom, WISEly, WITness,
WITTy, WOMan, WOMen, WONder, WONderful, WOODen,
WOOLLen, WORKer, WORKshop, WOrry, WORship,
WORTHless, WORTHy, WRINkle, WRINKled, WRITer,
WRITing.
X,Y,Z
YEARly, YEllow, YESterday, YOUNGster.
Category 2:
falls on the second syllable:
A
aBILity, aBOUT, aBOVE, aBROAD, abSORB, aBUSE,
acCELerate, acCEPT, aCCOmmodate, aCCOMpany,
aCCOMplish, aCCORDing, aCCOUNT, aCCOUNTant,
aCCUSE, aCCUStom, aCHIEVE, aCHIEVEment,
ackNOWLedge, aCQUAINT, aCQUAINTance, aCQUIRE,
aCROSS, acTIVity, aDDItion, aDDItional, aDDRESS,
adJUST, adMIRE, adMIT, aDOPT, adVANCE, adVANCED,
adVANtage, adVENTure, adVERTisement, adVICE, adVISE,
aFFAIR, aFFECT, aFFECtion, aFFECtionate, aFFORD,
aFRAID, aGAIN, aGAINST, aGO, aGREE, aGREEment,
aHEAD, aLARM, aLIKE, aLIVE, aLLOW, aLLOWance,
aLONE, aLONG, aLOUD, alREAdy, alTHOUGH, aMAZE,
amBItion, amBItious, aMONG, aMOUNT, aMUSE,
aMUSEment, aNAlysis, aNNOUNCE, aNNOY, aNOther,
anXIEty, aPART, aPOLogize, aPOLogy, aPPARently, aPPEAL,
aPPEAR, aPPEARance, aPPLAUSE, aPPLY, aPPOINT,
aPPOINTment, aPPREciate, aPPROACH, aPPROVAL,
aPPROVE, aPPROXimate, aPPROXimately, aRISE, aROUND,
aRRANGE, aRRANGEment, aRREST, aRRIVE, aSHAMED,
aSHORE, aSIDE, aSLEEP, aSSEMble, aSSIST, aSSISTance,
aSSISTant, aSSOciate, aSSUME, aSSURE, aSTONish,
aSTONishment, aTROcious, aTTACH, aTTACK, aTTAIN,
aTTEMPT, aTTEND, aTTENDance, aTTENtion, aTTRACT,
aTTRACtion, aTTRACTive, auTHOrity, aVAILable, aVOID,
aWAKE, aWARD, aWARE, aWAY.
B
backYARD, baLLOON, baNAna, beCAUSE, beCOME,
beFORE, beFOREhand, beGIN, beGINNer, beGINNing,
beHAVE, beHAviour, beHIND, beLIEF, beLIEVE, beLONG,

beLONGings, beLOVED, beLOW, beSIDE, beSIDES,
beTWEEN, beYOND.
C
camPAIGN, caNAL, canTEEN, caPAcity, caREER, carTOON,
caSSETTE, ceMENT, cerTIficate, ciGAR, cirCUItious,
coLLECT, coLLECTION, comBINE, coMMAND, coMMEND,
coMMERcial, coMMIT, coMMOtion, coMMUnicate,
coMMUnity, comPANion, comPARative, comPARatively,
comPARE, comPARison, comPEL, comPETE, comPETitor,
comPLAIN, comPLAINT, comPLETE, comPLETELY,
comPLEXion, comPLY, comPOSE, comPRISE, comPULsion,
comPULsory, comPUTE, comPUter, conCEAL, conCEDE,
conCEIT, conCEIted, conCEIVE, conCEPtion, conCERN,
conCERNing, conCEssion, conCISE, conCLUDE,
conCLUsion, conDEMN, conDItion, conDItional,
conDOLE, conDUCT (v), conDUCtor, conFER, conFESS,
conFEssion, conFIDE, conFINE, conFIRM, conFLICT (V),
conFORM, conFUSE, conFUSion, conGESted, conGEStion,
conGRAtulate, coNNECT, coNNECtion, conSENT,
conSERvative, conSIder, conSIderable, conSIderably,
conSIderate, conSIST, conSPIracy, conSPIrator, conSPIRE,
conSTRUCT, conSTRUCtion, conSULT, conSUME,
conSUmer, conSUMPtion, conTAIN, conTAINer, conTEMPT,
conTEMPtible, conTEMPtuously, conTEND, conTENDed,
conTENT (v), conTEST (v), conTInually, conTInue,
conTInuous, conTRACT (v), conTRAST(v), conTRIbute,
contriBUtion, conTROL, conVENience, conVENient,
conVENtion, conVENtional, conVEY, conVEYance, conVICT
(v), conVICtion, conVINCE, co-OPerate, coRRECT,
coRRECtion, coRRUPT, couRAgeous, creATE.
D
deBATE, deCAY, deCEIT, deCEIVE, deCEIVer, deCIDE,
deCIdedly, deCIsion, deCLARE, deCLINE, deCREASE,

deFEAT, deFENCE, deFEND, deFINE, deFY, deGREE,
deLAY, deLIBerate, deLIcious, deLIGHT, deLIGHTed,
deLIGHTful, deLIver, deLIvery, deMAND, deMOLish, deNY,
dePART, dePARTment, dePARture, dePEND, dePENDant,
dePENDence, dePENDent, dePLORable, dePLORE,
dePRESS, deRIVE, deSCEND, deSCENDant, deSCENT,
deSCRIBE, deSCRIPtion, deSERT (v), deSERVE, deSIGN,
deSIRable, deSIRE, deSPAIR, deSPIcable, deSPISE,
deSPITE, deSTROY, deSTRUCtion, deTECT, deTECTive,
deTERmine, deTEST, deTESTable, deVELop, deVELopment,
deVICE, deVOTE, dicTATE, dicTAtion, dicTAtor, diGEST
(v), diPLOma, diRECT, diRECtion, diRECTly, diRECTor,
diSASter, diSAStrous, disCHARGE, disCLOSE, disCOMfort,
disCOUNT (v), disCOURage, diSCOver, diSCOvery,
diSCREET, diSCRIMinate, diSCUSS, diSCUSSion, diSEASE,
disGRACE, disGUISE, disGUST, disHONest, disLIKE,
disMISS, disMISSal, disORder, diSPLAY, disPLEASE,
diSPOSal, diSPOSE, diSPUTE, diSSAtisfy, diSSOLVE,
diSTINCT, diSTINCtion, diSTINCTly, diSTINguish,
diSTORT, diSTORtion, diSTRESS, diSTRIbute, diSTURB,
diSTURBance, diVIDE, diVIsion, diVORCE, doMEStic,
draMAtic.
E
eCOnomy, eDItion, eFFECT, eFFECTive, eFFIciency,
eFFIcient, eLAStic, eLEct, eLECtion, eLECtric, eLECtrical,
elseWHERE, emBArass, emBOdy, emBRACE, eMERGE,
eMERgency, eMOtion, eMOtional, emPLOY, emPLOYer,
emPLOYment, eNAble, enCLOSE, enCOUNter, enCOUrage,
enCOUragement, enDURance, enDURE, enGAGE,
enGAGED, enJOY, enJOYable, enJOYment, enLARGE,
eNORmous, eNOUGH, enSURE, enTHUsiasm, enTHUsiast,
enTHUsiastic, enTIRE, enTIREly, enTItle, enTREAT,
enVIRonment, eQUAlity, eQUIP, eQUIPment, eRECT,
eSCAPE, eSPEcially, eSSENtial, eSTABlish, eSTATE,

eTERnal, eTERnity, eVALuate, eVENT, eVENTually,
exact (igZAKT), exaggerate (igZAggerate), examine
(igZAMin), example (igZAMple), except (ikSEPT),
exception (ikSEPtion), excess (ikSES), exCHANGE, excite
(ikSAIT), excitement (ikSAITment), exciting (ikSAITing),
exclaim (ikSCLAIM), exclude (ikSCLUDE), exclusive
(ikSCLUsive), excursion (ikSCURsion), excuse (ikSCUSE),
exhaust (igZOST), exhaustive (igZOSTive), exhibit
(igZIbit), exist (igZIST), existence (igZISTance), expand
(ikSPAND), expansion (ikSPANsion), expect (ikSPECT),
expenditure (ikSPENDiture), expense (ikSPENS), expensive
(ikSPENsive), experience (ikSPERience), experienced
(ikSPErienced), experiment (ikSPERiment), explain
(ikSPLAIN), explode (ikSPLODE), exploit (ikSPLOIT),
explore (ikSPLORE), explosion (ikSPLOsion), explosive
(ikSPLOsive), export (ikSPORT) (v), express (ikSPRESS),
expression (ikSPREssion), extend (ikSTEND), extension
(ikSTENsion), extent (ikSTENT), external (ikSTERNal),
extinguish (ikSTINguish), extract (ikSTRACT) (v),
extraordinarily (ikSTRORdinarily), extraordinary
(ikSTRORdinary), extreme (ikSTREME), extremely
(ikSTREMEly).
F
faMIliar, fanTAstic, feROcious, feROcity, ficTItious,
fiNANcial, forBID, foreSEE, forGET, forGETful, forGIVE,
fulFILL.
G
giGANtic, goodBYE, goodNIGHT, graMMAtical.
H
haBItual, haLLO, headMASter, headMIStress,
headQUARters, heREditary, heROic, herSELF, himSELF,

hiSTORical, home-MADE, hoRIzon, hoSPITable, hoTEL,
howEVER, huMANity, huRRAH, huRRAY.
I
iDEa, iDEal, iDENtify, igNORE, iLLEgal, iLLEgally,
iLLIterate, ill-TREAT, iMAGinable, iMAGinary, imagiNAtion,
iMAginative, iMAgine, iMMEdiate, iMMEdiately, iMMEnse,
iMMORal, iMMORTal, imPACT (v), imPART, imPAtience,
imPAtient, imPERfect, imPERsonal, imPLORE, imPLY,
imPORT (v), imPORTance, imPORTant, imPOSSible,
imPRESS, imPREssion, imPREssive, imPRIson,
imPRObable, imPROper, imPROVE, imPROVEment,
inBORN, inCAPable, inCLINE, inCLUDE, inCLUDing,
inCOMparable, inCOMpetent, inCREASE (v), inCREDible,
inDEcent, inDEED, inDIfferent, inDOORS, inDUCE,
inDUStrial, inDUStrious, inEVitable, inEVItably, inFECT,
inFECtious, inFERior, inFLAME, inFLAmmable, inFLICT,
inFORM, inGEnious, inHAbit, inHAbitant, inHERit,
iNItial, iNItiative, inJECT, inJECtion, inJUSTice, iNNAte,
iNNUmerable, inPARtial, inQUIRE, inQUIRY, inQUIsitive,
inSENsible, inSENsitive, inSERT, inSIDE, inSIST, inSPECT,
inSPECtion, inSPECTor, inSPIRE, inSTALL, inSTALment,
inSTEAD, inSTRUCT, inSTRUCtion, inSULT, inSURance,
inSURE, inTELLigence, inTELLigent, inTELLigible, inTEND,
inTENSE, inTENtion, inTENtional, inTENtionally, inTERior,
inTERnal, inTERpret, inTERpreter, inTImidate, inTOLerant,
inTRUDE, inVADE, inVALid, inVAsion, inVENT, inVENtion,
inVENTor, inVEST, inVEStigate, inVESTment, inVISible,
inVITE, inVOKE, inVOLVE, itSELF.
J,K
kind-HEARTed.
L
laMENT, loCATE, lukeWARM.
M
maCHInary, maCHINE, maGIcian, magNIficent,
mainTAIN, maJOrity, manKIND, maTErial, maTURE,
maTUrity, meCHAnic, meCHAnical, meMOrial, miNOrity,
misFORtune, misLEAD, miSTAKE, moLEST, moNOtonous,
moRAlity, mosQUIto, mouSTACHE, muSEUM, muSIcian,
mySELF, mySTErious.
N
naRRATE, neCEssity, neGLECT, neGOtiate, noBIlity,
noTOrious.
O
o’CLOCK, oBEdience, oBEdient, oBEdiently, oBEY, obJECT
(v), obJECtion, obJECtive, oBLIgatory, oBLIGE, obSCURE,
obSERVE, obSTRUCT, obSTRUCtion, obTAIN, oCCAsion,
oCCAsional, oCCAsionally, oCCUR, oCCURRence, oFFENce,
oFFEND, oFFENsive, oFFIcial, oKAY, oMIT, oneSELF,
oPINion, oPPOnent, opporTUNity, oPPOSE, oPPRESS,
oRIginal, oRIginally, ourSELVES, outDATed, outDO,
outDOORS, outLIVE, outNUMber, outRAGEous, outSIDE,
outSIDer, outSPOken, outSTANDing.
P
paRADE, parTIcipate, parTIcular, parTIcularly, parTIculars,
part-TIME, peCUliar, peDEStrian, perCEIVE, perFECtion,
perFORM, perFORMance, perHAPS, perMIssion, perMIT,
perPETual, perSIST, perSUADE, perSUAsion, phiLOsophy,
phoTOgrapher, phoTOgraphy, phySIcian, poETic, poLICE,
poLICEman, poLITE, poLITEly, poLITEness, poLItical,
poLLUtion, porTRAY, poSItion, poSSESS, poSSEssion

(v), poSSESSive, poSTPONE, poTAto, preCEDE, preCISE,
preFER, prePARE, preSCRIBE, preSCRIPtion, preSENT
(v), preSERVE, preSIDE, preSTIGE, preSUME, preTEND,
preVAIL, preVENT, preVENtion, proCEdure, proCEED,
proCLAIM, proDUCE (v), proDUCer, proDUCtion, proFESS,
proFEssion, proFEssional, proFEssor, proFIciency, proGRESS
(v), proGRESSive, proGRESSively, proJECT (v), proMOTE,
proMOtion, proNOUNCE, proPORtion, proPOSal, proPOSE,
proPRIEtor, proSPERity, proTECT, proTECtion, proTEST(v),
proVIDE, proVIDed, proVIsion, proVOKE, purSUE, purSUIT.
Q
quoTAtion.
R
reACT, reACtion, reALity, reBEL (v), reBEllion, reCALL,
reCEIPT, reCEIVE, reCEPtion, reCOIL, reCORD (v), reCOver,
reCOvery, reCRUIT, reDUCE, reDUCtion, reFER, reFINE,
reFLECT, reFLECtion, reFORM, reFRESH, reFRESHment (s),
refuGEE, reFUsal, reFUSE, reGARD, reGARDless, reGRET,
reHEARsal, reHEARSE, reJECT (v), reJOICE, reLATE,
reLAtion, reLAtionship, reLAX, reLEASE, reLIable, reLIEF,
reLIEVE, reLIgion, reLIgious, reLINquish, reLUCtance,
reLUCtant, reLY, reMAIN, reMAINS, reMARK, reMARKable,
reMARKably, reMEMber, reMIND, reMOTE, reMOVal,
reMOVE, reNEW, reNOWN, reNOWNed, rePAIR, rePEAT,
rePENT, rePLACE, rePLY, rePORT, rePORTer, rePROACH,
rePUBlic, reQUEST, reQUIRE, reSEARCH, reSEMblance,
reSENT, reSERVE, reSIDE, reSIGN, reSIST, reSISTance,
reSOLVE, reSORT, reSOURCE (s), reSPECT, reSPECTful,
reSPOND, reSPONSE, reSPONsible, reSTORE, reSTRAIN,
reSTRICT, reSULT, reSUME, reTAIN, reTIRE, reTIREment,
reTREAT, reTURN, reVEAL, reVENGE, reVERSE, reVIEW,
reVISE, reVOKE, reVOLT, reVOLVE, reWARD, riDIculous,

rouTINE.
S
saLUTE, seCURE, seCURity, seDUCE, seLECT, seLECtion,
self-CONfident, self-CONScious, self-INTerest, self-MADE,
self-SERvice, senSAtion, seVERE, sigNIficant, simPLIcity,
sinCERE, sinCERity, so-CALLED, soCIEty, soLUtion,
specTAtor, starVAtion, stuPIdity, subDUE, subMIT, succeed
(sukSEED), success (sukSESS), sucCESSful, suFFIcient,
suGGEST, suGGEStion, suPERior, suPPLY, suPPORT,
suPPOSE, suPPRESS, suPREME, surPRISE, suRRENder,
suRROUND, suRROUNDings, surVEY (v), surVIVE,
suSPECT, suSPIcion, suSPIcious, suSTAIN.
T
teRRIfic, themSELVES, therMOmeter, throughOUT, toDAY,
toGEther, toMAto, toMOrrow, toNIGHT, toWARD(S),
traDItion, traDItional, transFER (v), transFORM, tranSIStor,
transLATE, tranSLAtion, transMIT, transPARent, tranSPORT
(v), treMENdous.
U
umBRElla, unAble, unARMED, unBUtton, unCERtain,
unCERtainty, unCOMfortable, unCOmmon, unCONscious,
unDO, unDRESS, unEAsy, unFAIR, unFORtunately,
unHAppy, uNIQUE, uNITE, unJUST, unKIND, unKNOWN,
unLAWful, unLESS, unLIKE, unLIKEly, unLOAD, unLOCK,
unLUCKy, unNECessary, unPLEASant, unTIdy, unTIE, unTIL,
unUsual, unWILLing, upHILL, upHOLD, uPON, upROOT,
upSET, upSTAIRS.
V
vaCAtion, vaRIEty, veRANdah, vicTOrious, voCABulary.
W
well-KNOWN, well-MADE, whatEVer, whenEVer, wherEVer,
whichEVer, whoEVer, withDRAW, wiTHIN, wiTHOUT, world-
WIDE, worthWHILE.
X,Y,Z
yourSELF, yourSELVES.
Category 3:
falls on the third syllable:
A
admiRAtion, afterNOON, altoGEther, anniVERsary,
appliCAtion, artiFIcial, autoMAtic.
B,C
cigaRETTE, combiNAtion, commonSENSE, compeTItion,
compreHEND, compreHENsion, compreHENsive,
concenTRAtion, confiDENtial, confiDENtially, contraDICT,
converSAtion, correSPOND, correSPONdence, curiOSity.
D
declaRAtion, defiNItion, demoCRATic, demonSTRAtion,
destiNAtion, disadVANtage, disaGREE, disaGREEment,
disaPPEar, disaPPEarance, disaPPOINT, disaPPOINTment,
disaPPROVal, disaPPROVE, disconTENDed, disoBEdient,
disoBEY, downSTAIRS.
E
ecoNOmic, ecoNOmical, eduCAtion, eduCAtional,
elecTRIcity, eleMENTary, emploYEE, enerGEtic, engiNEER,
engiNEERing, enterTAIN, enterTAINment, everLASTing,

exclaMAtion, exhiBItion, explaNAtion, exploRAtion.
F
founDAtion.
G
guaranTEE.
H
hesiTAtion.
I
illuSTRAtion, imiTAtion, immaTURE, impoLITE,
inciDENTal, inciDENTally, incliNAtion, incomPATible,
incomPLETE, inconCEIVable, incoRRECT, indePENDence,
indePENDent, indiCAtion, indiRECT, indiVIdually,
ineFFECtive, ineFFIcient, inflaMMAtion, influENtial,
inforMAtion, ingeNUity, insigNIficant, insinCERE,
inspiRAtion, instiTUtion, instruMENtal, inteLLECtual,
interFERE, interFERence, interMEdiate, interNAtional,
inteRRUPT, inteRRUption, interVENE, introDUCE,
introDUCtion, inviTAtion.
J,K,L
lemoNADE, libeRAtion.
M
magaZINE, manuFACture, middle-Aged,.
N,O
obliGAtion, obserVAtion, occuPAtion, opeRAtion,
ornaMENTal, overALL, overCOME, overFLOW, overHANG,

overHAUL, overHEAR, overLOOK, overNIGHT, overTAKE,
overTHROW, overTURN, oveRUN, overWHELM.
P
passer-BY, periODical, persoNALity, photoGRAPHic,
pictuRESQUE, poliTIcian, popuLARity, popuLAtion,
possiBIlity, prepaRAtions, probaBIlity, provoCAtion,
psychoLOgical, publiCAtion, punctuAlity.
Q,R
realiZAtion, recogNItion, recoLLECT, recoLLECtion,
recoMMEND, recreAtion, refeREE, reguLAtion, reinFORCE,
repeTItion, repreSENT, repreSENtative, reproDUCE,
reproDUCtion, repuTAtion, reserVAtion, resigNAtion,
resoLUtion, revoLUtion.
S
satisFACtion, satisFACtory, scienTIfic, second-HAND, self-
conTROL, self-reSPECT, sepaRAtion, simiLArity, situAtion,
souveNIR, speeDOmeter, superSTItion, superSTItious,
systeMAtic.
T,V
underLINE, underSTAND, underSTANDing, underTAKE,
unemPLOYment, uniVERsal, uniVERsity, variAtion,
volunTEER.
W,X,Y,Z
Category 4:
falls on the fourth syllable:

accommoDAtion, adminiSTRAtion, associAtion.
civiliZAtion, classifiCAtion, communiCAtion, consideRAtion,
co-opeRAtion.
determiNAtion, discrimiNAtion, dissatisFACtion
exaggeRAtion, experiMENTal,
incompreHENSible, interpreTAtion, investiGAtion.
misunderSTAND, multipliCAtion.
negotiAtion, nevertheLESS.
organiZAtion.
pronunciAtion.
qualifiCAtion.
responsiBILity.
unsatisFACtory.
Stress exaggeration exercise

Go through both the alphabetical and the stresswise lists of words
carefully.
Then, take up the alphabetical list — for intensive practice.
Pick up each word in the order in which it occurs in the list. E.g.
aBILity, Able, aBOUT, aBOVE, aBROAD, ABsence, etc. You’ll find
that the position of the stressed syllable keeps varying, often from
word to word. For example, if the stressed syllable in ‘aBILity’
is the second syllable, the stressed syllable in ‘Able’ is the first
syllable, and the stressed syllable in ‘aBOUT’ is the second one.
Utter each word aloud — by placing an exaggerated stress on
the stressed syllable. For example, utter aBILity, Able, aBOUT in
this way:
BILity, Able, aBOUT

a
The vowel and the consonant before it (that is, if there’s a

consonant before it) must get most of this exaggerated stress.
BIL in ‘aBILity’, B and

For example, in the syllable
I must get the maximum exaggeration, and L need only to get

near-maximum exaggeration. In Able, there’s no consonant
before the stressed-syllable A (vowel), and so, A must get all

the exaggeration.
Utter each words few times — say five times. In this way
complete the alphabetical list.
Then take up the stresswise list. Go through all the words
in which the stress falls on the first syllable. E.g. Able, Absence,
etc. Practise uttering each word in the same way as before. Then
go through all the words in which the stress falls on the second
syllable. Eg. aBILity, aBout, etc. Do the same kind of practice.
Then go through all the words in which the stress falls on the
third syllable. E.g. admiRAtion, altoGEther, etc. Do the same kind
of practice. In this way, complete the stresswise list, too.
Let me repeat: It’s very important that you should exaggerate
the stressed-syllable during all the practice sessions. Without
doing that, it would be almost impossible to get into the habit of
stressing the right syllable when you actually speak.
This kind of exercise will help you in two ways: First, it’ll help
you learn faster where to stress the words. Second, it’ll sharpen
your feel for these words — so that they begin to occur to you
readily in speech.
So take up both lists and do the exercise once immediately.
Then come back to these lists again and again.
NOTE: We’ll take up the rhythm-drill in the next Book.
***
96 Do words stop on the tip of your tongu e ?
chapter 6
Do words stop
on the tip of your tongue?
A major problem that prevents most people from being fluent is
this: When they speak, some (or many) of the words they need
remain on the tip of their tongue and don’t flow out readily —
even though they know these words. Later in the day, these words
might occur to them, but at the moment that they need them
most, they stay away.
Actually, this problem confronts not only non-fluent speakers
but also fluent speakers — including extremely articulate native
speakers of English. Yes, even them. But there’s a difference: They
don’t have this problem as frequently as non-fluent speakers.
They have this problem only now and then — thanks to their
mastery of ready-built word clusters. (And even when they do
have this problem, it does not really affect the flow of their speech,
because they know how to deal with this problem while they’re
on their feet and speaking – that is, they’re good at hesitation
management. See Book 5: How to Deal with Hesitation).
A chief reason why non-fluent speakers are dogged by this
problem is this: Though they know the meaning, grammar and
usage of a very large number of individual words, they have not
mastered these individual words along with the other words that
conventionally tend to occur immediately before or after them.
That is, non-fluent speakers have no real mastery over clusters of
words.
So if you want your words to flow out readily and not to stop
on the tip of your tongue, here’s an important drill you should
concentrate on doing: Get a lot of oral practice saying ready-built
word clusters ALOUD. Yes, ready-built word clusters. (I’ve already
introduced you to them, remember? See Books 1 & 2). Once
Do words stop on the tip of y our tongue? 97
ready-built word clusters start tripping off the tongue when you
speak, the problem of words stopping on the tip of your tongue
will stop being a hurdle for you.
Here’s a carefully selected collection of ready-built word
clusters that can give you the kind of oral practice you need. Now
remember this: These are not the only word clusters that can give
you this practice. And the amount of practice you get from the
collection you get below will not be enough for you to get over the
words-stop-on-the-tongue-tip problem, either. So pay attention
to this: The collections of word clusters given in all the books in
the Fluentzy series would give you this practice. And once you’ve
completed doing practice with the clusters given in most of these
books, this problem would begin to stop tormenting you. In fact,
even a single collection of ready-built word clusters – like the
collection you get in this chapter – produces a noticeable effect.
So pick up each word group and say it aloud several times.
Here we go:
Group 1
stand the test of time. • pass the note back to sb. • play a different
game. • suffer/sustain an injury. • suffer an asthma attack. • wash
the floor. • receive an offer. • spread the workload between… •
take the trouble to help sb • tell a lie. • see an improvement.
• repeat an experiment. • run a hotel. • turn the chair to face
sb. • prevent the spread of infection. • set the course for sth. •
suffer the consequences. • open a new store. • submit a plan. •
show a collection. • teach a course. • top a bill. • return a call.
• watch the weather (on the TV). • smile a grim smile. • win
a fight. • reflect a change. • touch the case. • support a view.
• maintain the status quo. • smile a knowing smile. • prefer
a direct approach. • spread a cloth on the table. • schedule a
meeting. • support a conclusion. • support a claim. • speak a
strange language. • welcome a decision. • survive an accident. •
see the remains of sth. • show a talent. • send a package.
98 Do words stop on the tip of your tongue?
• win a battle. • remove a worry. • report an error. • savour

the taste. • spend the money on sth. • run a business. • trust an
instinct. • suspect a gas leak. • treat a disease. • know the area
inside out. • ride a bicycle. • share a common interest in sth. •
try a new coffee. • pay a call on sb. • register a birth. • study
the report. • spend the night with sb. • meet the needs of sb/
sth. • take a (wait-and-see) attitude. • secure an agreement. •
state an/your opinion. • recommend the plan to sb. • receive a
call from sb. • release the clutch. • survive an operation. • tell
the difference (between two things). • raise the age of sth. •
knock a nail into a wall. • survive a war. • present a convincing
case. • solve a crime. • wake the baby up. • slash the price (of
sth). • receive an increase. • stop the bleeding. • smash a record.
• reserve a table. • spread a load. • secure a deal. • tackle an
issue. • miss a chance to do sth. • seal a border. • reject an offer.
• teach a skill. • state an opinion. • release an album. • record
an album. • secure a place. • reject a theory. • support a family.
• water the garden. • treat a patient. • run a test. • relieve the
guard. • pin the blame on sb. • see the importance of sth. • know
the terms of the agreement. • wash the car. • stretch a rule. • win
the toss. • take a journey. • serve a purpose. • support a theory.
• see a great future for sb. • use a computer. • lose the ability to
do sth. • write a computer program. • sound a note of caution.
• reject a request. • play a trick on sb. • reject a proposal. • top
a list. • recognize an old friend. • touch the wet paint. • spend
the evening doing sth. • wave a magic wand. • return a service.
• waste a chance. • watch the race. • show an interest (in sth).
• win a promise (from sb). • want the best. • post a card to sb. •
lose the taste for sth. • send a warning. • top the bill. • send the
order. • write a new play. • watch a programme. • play the role
of sb. • relax a rule. • want a drink. • sound a warning. • stop the
tape. • solve a murder. • win a contest. • report the news. • wear
a ring. • raise the subject of sth. • pull a car to the right. • score a
point. • run a store. • like the taste of sth. • see a change. • win
a competition. • wear a black dress. • support an idea. • win a
match. • sign a document. • swing a punch (in sb’s direction). •

turn a tap off/on. • split the cost. • rent an apartment. • support
a hypothesis. • play the part of sb • stress the importance of sth.
• sign a cheque. • join the cookery class. • turn the conversation.
• wait an hour. • skip a beat. • use the telephone. • start a car.
• sell the car. • watch a football game. • spend the day in bed.
• write a story. • waste an opportunity. • roll the string (into a
ball). • wear a suit. • ignore the fact that... • welcome a guest. •
leak the information to the press. • take some/a lot of trouble to
do sth. • relate a story. • win a place. • support a ban. • shoot an
arrow (from your bow). • suffer a shock. • reduce a load. • share
a needle. • support a large family. • use a car. • stretch a wing.
• spread a rumour. • win a trophy. • take a look at the weather.
• tie a parcel. • put a plan into action. • score a run. • spoil the
taste. • reject a decision. • understand a language. • secure a
place (for yourself). • win a medal. • stand a hope of doing sth. •
watch the video. • watch the game. • want a car (of your own). •
throw the question back at sb. • ride a horse. • stretch the fabric
tightly (over sth). • turn the light(s) on/off. • tie a scarf. • use
your judgment. • withstand a challenge. • repeat an exercise. •
sense a presence. • settle the matter. • load the new software. •
require an investigation. • score a double. • see the advantages
of sth. • put the blame for sth (on sb).
Group 2
• win an election. • lift a heavy case. • win a scholarship. •
take trouble doing sth. • pinpoint the cause of sth. • secure
a majority. • repeat an allegation. • spring a leak. • offer an
important post. • lay a basis for sth. • wear a long dress. • strike
the hour. • reduce the effect(s) of sth. • sound a confident note.
• identify the dead body. • see the stars. • run a marathon. •
win a point. • miss the start of the film. • release the switch. •
wear a string of pearls. • lay the blame for sth on sb. • lack the
confidence to do sth. • write a song. • rent a room. • pay a loan
off. • study a language. • sense an unease. • speak the truth. •
prevent the movement of sb/sth. • rent a house. • understand

an issue. • turn a key in the lock. • sing a song to sb. • reach the
required standard. • sound the death knell of/for sth. • suffer a
consequence. • lift the sleeping child. • pass the ball to sb. • run
the risk (of failing etc.) • win a majority.
• start a war. • stretch a point. • stick a stamp on sth. • win a
championship. • recognize the benefit(s) of sth. • take a decision
(to do sth). • taste the mixture. • play a leading part. • use a
ladder. • set a mood. • wear a badge. • play the leading role. •
show a picture. • reflect a belief. • set a precedent. • support a
plan. • register a company. • lift an embargo on sth. • use a new/
simple method. • save the environment. • know the codes inside
out. • notice a big change in sb. • take a (more responsible)
attitude. • lift a suitcase down. • register a trademark. • sign
the hotel register. • suit a requirement. • strike a heroic pose. •
remove the stain (from a cloth). • shut the door. • lead a happy
life. • wear a beard. • reduce the gap. • sign a pact to do sth.
• park the car sw. • write a list. • lead a busy life. • state the
obvious. • see a doctor. • watch a video. • resist a change. • send
a card to sb. • start a motor. • search the area. • return a high
rate of interest. • sound a note of warning. • secure 40% of the
vote. • turn the pages. • join a tour group. • win a victory. • spot
an empty table. • remain the same.
• notice the change in sb’s appearance. • mix the flour and
eggs. • organize a protest march. • spend the weekend sw. • treat
a virus. • record an event. • own a house sw. • treat a symptom.
• show a pattern. • win a war. • record a verdict. • resist the cake
(couldn’t). • resist the temptation to do sth. • start the engines.
• suggest an improvement. • sign an autograph. • make a claim
for sth (on your insurance). • sound a positive note. • provide
a variety of sth. • transfer the files onto sth. • owe a debt of
gratitude to sb. • satisfy a want. • send a letter to sb. • share an
apartment with sb. • see the news. • lead a miserable existence.
• win a concession. • lead a quiet life. • rent an office. • undergo
a change. • spread a message. • share a belief (that). • write a
novel. • win a cap. • stop the generator. • sign a petition. • solve

a case. • receive a telephone call. • release a hostage. • roll the
clothes. • win a contract. • read the first chapter. • settle a bill.
• support a belief. • pass the written paper. • register a death. •
open the door to sth. • record a conversation. • secure a victory.
• paint the outside of your house. • solve a problem. • tie a
bow. • present a rosy picture of sth. • repeat a step. • restore a
garden. • want an explanation. • pay a debt off. • recognize the
missing girl. • voice a worry. • turn the volume up/down. • read
the exam results. • stand the heat (couldn’t). • miss the security
of sth. • score a try. • support an argument. • see the benefit(s)
of sth. • receive an award for sth. • work the land. • reduce the
rent. • stand the strain. • reject a possibility. • miss the last bus
(home). • press a handkerchief to your nose.
• repeat a test. • play a joke on sb. • want an experienced
teacher. • redecorate the house. • switch the light(s) on/off. •
welcome a change. • strike a balance. • lead an interesting life.
• stage a show. • tell the truth. • set a new record. • remain a
secret. • play a vital role (in sth). • smile a welcome. • teach a
language. • thwart an attempt. • report an improvement. • see
a lawyer. • see the advantage. • leave the management to sb. •
win a prize. • lead a full life. • smile a slow smile. • settle an
argument. • review the previous week. • score a victory. • talk
the same language (as sb). • relax a regulation. • share a house
with sb. • tell the time. • secure a property. • recommend a book
to sb. • return the compliment. • lay a hand on sb’s arm. • wear
a hat. • write a letter. • win a race. • share the blame (for sth).
• question the wisdom of sth. • write a play. • study a report.
• rent your house to sb. • split the difference. • tie a boat up. •
receive an education. • train the team. • strike a dramatic pose.
• return a shot. • push the limit of sth. • raise a storm of protest.
• score a success. • seek a challenge. • lay the blame on sb. •
replace the book on the shelf. • travel the country. • roll the baby
over. • sell the farm. • start a journey. • use your managerial/
writing talents. • reduce the risk of infection. • repeat the grade.
• suffer the effect. • wear a watch.

• reject an argument. • sign a deal (with sb). • reject an
application. • paint a bleak picture. • replace the handset. •
throw the blame on someone. • search the building. • replace
the old windows. • tell a story. • prevent the spread of disease.
• tell the truth/a lie. • swing a leg. • take the news (calmly). •
roll a trolley (across the yard etc). • pay a visit to your doctor. •
support a cause. • try an avenue. • turn a profit. • kill a couple
of hours. • pass a witty comment. • satisfy a wish. • reserve a
judgment. • pass the message on to sb. • reject a claim. • owe a
great deal to sb. • release a movie. • start the day (with a good
breakfast). • reflect sb’s attitude. • suffer a reaction. • place the
blame on sb. • repeat a mistake. • use the best ingredients. • share
a view. • serve the community. • learn a musical instrument. •
understand the situation. • report an increase. • start an engine.
• receive an income. • start the fight. • stop the rot. • strike a
match. • show a profit. • treat a disorder. • unveil a plan. • strike
a balance between two things. • sound a hopeful note. • start
a conversation. • review the evidence. • throw a glance (at). •
start a rumour. • win a case. • taste the soup. • reach a good
level. • paint a rosy picture of sth. • love the idea of sth. • wear a
casual dress. • play an essential part in sth. • present a challenge
to sth. • shelve a plan. • set a limit (on sth).
• stop the night. • play the part of sb. • undergo an
experience. • shoot a scene. • reach the age of 80 etc. • wear
a formal dress. • sign a contract (with sb). • lead an exciting
life. • welcome a suggestion. • travel a good distance. • sign
a register. • start a business. • keep a clear head. • return the
favour. • strike a bargain. • use an axe. • shake a habit. • reveal
the truth. • run the engine. • win the championship. • make an
issue of sth. • write a will. • reinforce a belief. • read a file into
a computer. • support a contention. • start a group. • state an
intention. • take the news (badly/well). • receive a phone call
(from sb). • pay a steep price. • wear a coat. • return a verdict.
• tear a hole in sth. • register a marriage. • use sth as a means
to do sth. • tie a ribbon. • level an accusation at sb. • write the

wrong address. • strike the first blow. • like the idea of sth. • pay
a mortgage off. • wear a pin.
Group 3
• pay a set amount each month. • speak the same language.
• receive a visit from. • satisfy a condition. • resolve an issue.
• reach the light switch. • roll a barrel (across the yard etc). •
teach a class. • return a greeting. • start a fire. • solve a crisis.
• spend the weekend doing sth. • use an alternative/innovative
approach. • sign a treaty. • start a family. • repeat a performance.
• send a message (to sb). • spend the early part of your life sw.
• start a fight (with sb). • reduce the price (of sth). • require a
change. • spot the difference. • turn a page. • reveal a pattern.
• satisfy a need. • remain a problem. • smile a small smile. •
refuse an offer. • throw a party (for sb/sth). • repeat a process. •
review the previous month. • tie a knot in a rope. • lead a normal
life. • see the bill. • join a political party. • register the baby’s
birth. • see an increase. • secure a payment. • throw a tantrum.
• repeat an instruction. • solve a dispute. • top a chart. • sense a
mood. • win a bet. • start a riot. • pay an extra amount. • steal
the show. • relive an experience. • see the finish (of a race).
• release a prisoner. • stock a good range (of sth). • visit the
library. • tie a package. • use a room. • satisfy the demand for
sth. • sound an alarm.
• know a new instrument. • put an idea into action.
• understand a meaning. • seal the deal. • mark the start of
sth. • spread the towel (over sth). • see a difference. • wear a
moustache. • take a risk. • return a stare. • serve a function.
• understand a difference. • stretch a leg. • want a new coat.
• serve a sentence. • report a theft. • state a fact. • realize the
full meaning of sth. • strike a deal (with sb). • record a TV
programme. • identify the cause of sth. • tie a tie. • start a new
life. • visit the Taj Mahal. • share a load. • prepare a surprise
party. • welcome the opportunity. • receive an injury. • show an
improvement. • wear a jacket. • stay the same. • put a match

to sth. • play an essential role in sth. • take the blame for sth. •
start a new job. • study the results. • manage a soccer team. •
turn the switch (to the ‘on’/’off’ position). • stop the rumours. •
sign an agreement. • stand the pressure. • receive a number of
complaints (about sb/sth). • satisfy a test. • secure a contract.
• type a letter. • put the blame on sb. • stand a good chance
of winning. • take the news (in your stride). • recognize the
need to do sth. • transport the goods. • reduce the size of sth.
• throw a punch. • score a win. • watch the news. • provoke a
storm of protest. • mix the ingredients together. • order a double
brandy. • mark the end of sth. • spot an error. • register an
objection. • take an interest (in sth). • win the contest. • serve
a (useful) purpose. • slip a few jokes (into a speech). • visit a
lot of countries. • understand the meaning (of sth). • take a job.
• sign the letter. • travel a distance. • stretch the limit of sth.
• save a penalty. • keep the noise down. • want a new bike. •
settle a conflict. • reduce the risk (of sth). • move a step further
(can’t). • settle a debt. • receive the best treatment. • release a
bird (from its cage). • update the schedule. • question the merit
of sth. • state an objection. • run a course. • master the art of
(doing) sth. • report a profit. • reject a plan. • study a map. •
suffer a fit. • take an offer.
• split the vote. • reveal a secret. • work an eight-hour shift.
• study the menu. • write a note. • lead a life of luxury. • smoke
a cigarette. • sense a fear. • travel the world. • number the pages
(of a report etc). • repeat a question. • realize the benefit(s) of
sth. • stop a fight. • sell the business. • satisfy a requirement. •
reject a suggestion. • take the opportunity. • wash the dishes. •
realize the seriousness of sth. • lay a responsibility on sb. • spend
the night sw. • play a leading role. • return a favour. • suffer
a migraine attack. • strike the table with your fist. • turn the
heating on/off. • satisfy a desire. • lower the age of sth. • take a
(positive) attitude. • use a language. • join the air force. • win a
franchise. • see a pattern. • stay the night. • reduce the noise. •
lead a good life. • stop a cheque. • repeat the class. • pull a car to
the left. • take a course on fashion-designing etc. • show a lack of
sth. • reject an idea. • test the limit of sth. • lose the use of both
legs. • see an/the opportunity. • sing a song. • score a goal. •
write a piece on/about sth. • register a complaint. • test a theory.
• repeat a warning. • sense a danger. • question the logic of sth.
• start the session. • recommend a hotel. • release a statement.
• publish a review of sth. • understand the importance (of sth).
• treat an ailment. • win a game. • notice a numb feeling. • see
a movie. • roll a dice/die.
• set the table. • stress a significance. • rule a country.
• launch a/your etc career. • make a pact to do sth. • share
a taste for sth. • run a language school. • suffer an injury. •
wear an expression. • stand the sight of sth (can’t). • run the
marathon. • tidy the house. • repeat a request. • investigate the
links between… • mention the idea to sb. • start an argument.
• offer a variety of sth. • support a proposal. • resist an/the
opportunity. • solve a conflict. • share a room with sb. • preserve
a 11th-century house. • tape a conversation. • know the exact
figure. • throw the ball to sb. • love the taste of sth. • repeat
the year. • win a moral victory. • put the light(s) on/off. • turn
the gun on yourself. • survive a crisis. • put a question to sb. •
share an interest in poetry. • win an award (for sth). • see the
manager. • miss the warm weather. • settle an account. • survive
a crash. • win an argument. • rent a building. • sense a tension.
• show a cheerful/nervous disposition. • settle a dispute. • run
the hot tap. • restore a relation. • pay the electricity bill. • speak
a language. • support a weight. • treat an illness. • refuse a
request. • satisfy a demand. • satisfy an expectation. • turn the
corner. • make a habit of doing sth. • start a business of your
own. • open a bank account. • turn the heat up/down. • join the
department as a secretary etc.
***
106 Q uestions for Practice
chapter 7
Questions for Practice

Let’s now briefly look at one of the chief reasons why even well-
educated people find it difficult to have conversations in fluent
English. It’s this: They find it difficult to frame questions off-
hand. Yes, questions. They have no confidence that they can ask
questions on the spur of the moment. So they keep mum and
pretend that they have nothing to ask. The truth may be that
they’re itching to ask questions, to exchange ideas and to take
part in conversations. But one thing stands in their way: The
inability to ask questions without faltering.
Here you must note an important point: In schools and
colleges, you’re trained only to answer questions — not to ask
questions. As a result, everyone has very little training in framing
questions. This is particularly true about framing questions
orally.
Mind you, there are only two things that you’d be able to
produce orally, without hesitations. They are: (i) Things that
your organs of speech are accustomed to producing orally; and
(ii) Things that are similar (in structure or shape) to those things.
So you’ll not be able to ask questions with ease, if your organs of
speech don’t get special training. Without this special training,
questions in English will remain “strange” things for your organs
of speech.
So let’s begin our special training with questions now. The
first thing we’re going to do is to build up a “background” or
“atmosphere” of questions around you. This background or
atmosphere will help your tongue and other organs of speech
to stop feeling shy of questions in English. The way in which
questions are asked in English will then become familiar and
natural to your ears and organs of speech. Soon your organs of
speech would begin to yield to questions in English.
Q uestions for Practice 107
The first thing that you have to do is to utter certain specially-

selected questions ALOUD several times. You’ll get a collection of
these questions on the following pages. These questions are all
simple ones — to your eyes. But to your organs of speech, they
may not be as simple. They’re questions that are indispensable
in day-to-day conversations, but even well-educated people
find it difficult to produce them orally — while they’re having a
conversation. Though these questions look simple to your eyes,
they’ll be of no use to you until your tongue yields to them and
until they start sounding familiar and natural to your ears.
Remember this: The aim is not to reproduce each of the
questions later in specific situations. The aim is to get your organs
of speech and hearing to become familiar with the way questions
are framed.
Here we go for the questions:
Group 1
• Can I trouble you for a minute? • How did his explanation
strike you? • What can have happened to them? • Who knows
about this? • Have you been here long? • What’s the name of
that girl with a hat? • What’s worrying you? • What’s the house
worth? • What does he do (for a living)? • Who’s to blame?
• What do you need from the shop? • How soon will you be
finished? • Is it OK to sign here? • Can you let us know soon?
• What do you dislike most about it? • Was that your scooter I
saw? • Can I speak to Ann please? • Did they have any luck? •
Would you mind closing that door? • Where’ll they be this time
next week? • Is there any chance of his getting a promotion this
time? • Will you be coming round tomorrow? • What if we don’t
do it? • What do you enjoy most in your work? • What shall we
do about that matter? • Is the shirt dry yet? • How can they eat
such stuff? • Do you mean to tell me he doesn’t know it? • Where
shall I put this book? • Is he awake yet? • Who can I ask about
this? (Note: In contexts like these, use ‘Who’ and not ‘Whom’.
‘Whom’ is considered outdated in contexts like these). • Who is
this present for? • Who does this box belong to? • Who did you
give it to? • Any chance of some coffee? • Do you know who that
girl is? • Whose fault was it?
• How many times did she come here? • Did you win? • Is
he afraid of the dark? • What’s the news? • What food do you
like best? • Does this style suit me? • Is it all right to send it by
post? • Can I have another try? • Shall I pass them to Tom or
Ajith? • Did you have to tell everything to him? • Do you realize
that you have done a grave mistake? • When’ll you make up your
mind? • Who’s that man over there? • What’s on your mind? •
Do you mind if I smoke? • Are you coming or not? • Have you
read anything interesting lately? • What do you advise me to
do? • How long has she been waiting? • Have you got any idea
why he refused to reply? • Anybody for more tea? • Is he back
yet? • What suggestions would you like to make? • How did she
come to lose it? • Can I talk to you for sometime? • How did your
weekend go? • Is she the girl you told me about? • What do you
think he is doing? • Have you got a light? • Could I ask a few
questions? • Were you surprised to see him? • Do you recognize
the man under the tree? • Was John to blame for it? • Why not
discuss it with her? • Which chair should I sit in — this or that?
• How good a worker is he?
• Shall we have another game? • If I take a bus, what
time will I be in Bangalore? • Have you got any suggestions to
make? • What do you think of that furniture? • What if I did
it tomorrow instead of today? • What qualities do you think a
salesman should have? • How big did she say it was? • Did he
buy the car on hire-purchase? • What did you think of it? • Are
they here yet? • Could you let me know where that is available?
• What’s that you say? • Is that Ann? • Who’s responsible for all
this? • When will it be finished? • Why hasn’t he had a bath? •
Is he any better? • Is there going to be a meeting? • Does the
noise bother you? • Don’t you understand? • Could you let me
know if he turned up? • Why not ask her? • Is that you, Anil? •
Aren’t you responsible for this mix-up? • What’s that thing you
are eating? • Has the match been postponed? • Was the play any
good? • How old are you? • Will you be going there tomorrow?
• Can you suggest what we should do? • Isn’t she ready yet? •
What if he failed? • Would you agree that the quality of this thing
is very high? • What can I say to thank you? • What’s upsetting
you? • What’s your new teacher like?
Group 2
• Who can say that? • Where is he from? • Have you really
got to go? • Couldn’t you meet me tomorrow? • What’s all the
fuss about? • What’s this supposed to be? • What excuse shall we
give? • Is he making good progress? • How much did you buy
it for? • Where’s that book of mine? • Haven’t you booked your
ticket yet? • What happens first when you start the machine? •
What if she mentions the matter? • Isn’t that Sheela? • Was it
Asha’s fault? • When’ll we get the payment? • How about giving
me a ring tomorrow? • What’s this I hear about you? • Did you
pay for yourself? • What would you recommend if they asked
you? • Do you ever go for a walk? • Is that a reason? • How did
you like the book? • Who’s that standing over there? • Whose
is this pen? • How are things? • What does this machine do?
• Have they arrived? • Surely you’re not going to eat it raw? •
What’s someone who collects stamps called? • How did the party
go? • What delayed you? • What date is it? • How did they get
on with her?
• How many passengers does this bus take? • Why do you
want more time? • How’s everything? • How does this machine
work? • Doesn’t music interest you? • Surely that’s a bear over
there? • What word do you use for someone who works with
wood? • Which would you like —tea or coffee? • What went
wrong? • Will it help, do you think? • Will you help? • Who’s
paying? • Would you advise me to meet him again? • What reason
did she give for her behaviour? • What did you open it with? •
Could you tell me how far you’ve progressed? • Is everything all
right? • Is he pleased with the report? • Do you want to know
why he said that? • Are you going to do as I tell you? • What

else was there? • Is anything the matter? • Do you know that he
came looking for you? • Are these any good?
• Is this the best you can do? • What’s up? • What does a
video-phone look like? • Is the report nearly ready? • How much
do you know? • Are the rooms comfortable? • What is in that
bag? • Could you explain how to do that? • Would it be all right
if I came a bit late tomorrow? • What will you make the box of?
• Does she really mean it? • What are your feelings about it?
• Who gave you permission? • What would you like to drink?
• What was her reaction? • What’s the monthly rent? • What
colour is his shirt? • Excuse me, could I get past? • Will you be
able to book a seat for me? • Any other jobs to be done? • What’s
the reason for your decision? • Could you be more specific about
that? • What time would suit you? • Which is the strongest? •
Why’s she so miserable? • Is it as late as all that? • Will you lend
me that book?
• Have you been staying here long? • What caused all this
confusion? • What more do you expect? • Why didn’t he apply
the brake? • What’s the matter with you? • What shall I tell
them? • How far do you agree with them? • What difference
does it make? • What about having something to eat? • When
am I to expect him? • Is it likely to rain? • How do you account
for the missing letter? • What’s worrying you? • Would you mind
bringing it here? • Haven’t you always dreamt of becoming a
doctor? • What sort of picnic did you have? • Is it true that he is
promoted? • Do you think that he was right? • Was he surprised?
• Who told you he was short of money? • Would you prefer to
sit here or inside? • How do you find it? • What’s in the paper
today? • What’s so special about that?
Importance of the drill with word groups

You’ve been doing oral practice with question word groups. As
I’ve already told you, this sort of training gets you to become
good at asking questions spontaneously.

Now let’s look at another benefit you’ll get from this kind of
drill.
You know, spoken language is nothing but a combination of
sounds. But remember one thing: The way sounds are combined
in one language is different from the way sounds are combined
in another language. For example, the way sounds are combined
in English is different from the way sounds are combined in non-
English languages (= languages other than English).
You have long experience in speaking in your mother-
tongue, and so you have long experience in combining sounds
in your mother-tongue. Because of your long experience in
combining sounds in your mother-tongue, your organs of speech
have developed the ability to combine sounds in one way only
— the way they’re combined to produce speech in your mother
tongue.
And what are your organs of speech? Your lips, tongue, nose,
palate, lungs, pharynx, larynx and vocal cords. These are your
organs of speech. These organs are accustomed to working only
in the ways your mother-tongue wants them to work. They’re not
accustomed to working in the way English-language demands
them to. So this is what happens: The moment you start speaking
in English, the tendency of your organs of speech is to work in
your native-language-way. You then artificially try to force them
to work in the English-language-way. They try to work in the
way you force them to, but they can’t, and so they fail. The vocal-
cords in your larynx will vibrate only in your native-language
way. Your tongue, lips and soft-palate will take up positions only
in your native-language way. The muscles of your organs of
speech work well together only in your native-language-way. The
amount of breath you use will be right only according to your
native-language needs. On the whole, your organs of speech will
fail to co-operate with you to continue with your English speech,
and you start faltering with hesitations. You again try to make
your organs of speech to come round and work in the English-

language way. But they won’t, because they can’t. Result? Your
speech breaks up.
This is what happens to everybody, no matter how good
their knowledge of English is. Control over the functioning of
your organs of speech — that is what you need. Do the drills
in the various Books in this series the way you are told to, and
you’ll get this control. The practice materials have been carefully
selected, so they’ll train each and all your organs of speech to
produce each and all combinations of sounds in English-speech.
Remember this: The drills and exercises will train not one or two,
but each and all your organs of speech. The drills and exercises
will train your organs of speech to produce not just a few sound-
combinations, but all sound-combinations in English-speech.
Two important exercises

Here are two important exercises you should pay attention to
now:
1) Select about 50 questions each day. Look for contexts or
situations for using them. Make it a point to ask those questions
in real-life-situations. Complete all the questions in this way.
2) At the end of each day, run through all the questions.
What are the questions that you could have asked in real-life-
situations on that day, but which you didn’t ask? Tick-mark those
questions. Make it a point to find suitable situations on the next
day and to ask those questions in those situations.
That’s it. Bye for now.
***

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1

Prof. Kev Nair was born in Kerala, South India, in 1949.

need that comfort and ease in speech with his specialised

Fluent English Dictionaries1 by Kev Nair

Books by Kev Nair making up

Teaching your Tongue

Prof. Kev Nair

teaching your tongue & speech rhythm.

Chapter 2: Rhythm and flow of speech, 23

Let English flow the way English should flow, 27

List A: Weak function words, 31

Chapter 3: Foot and rhythm, 43

Chapter 4: Frequently-used polysyllabic words, 51

Chapter 5: Stresswise list of polysyllabic words, 71

Chapter 6: Do words stop on the tip of your tongue?,

Preface to the 5th edition

Here’s the latest edition of this book.

‘Teaching’ your ‘tongue’

Important Principles of description

That is, you should only say “I don’t…”, “We don’t…”,

That is, you can say “I had/hadn’t…”, “We had/hadn’t …”,

forms (infinitive). That is, you should say —

The way to teach your tongue

• Say “He has…”, “He hasn’t…”, etc.— ALOUD.

had finished, hadn’t finished. • has escaped, hasn’t escaped,

Word List 1: Irregular verbs

made. • bring, brought, brought. • think, thought, thought

Word List 2: Regular verbs

interest, interrupt, instruct, infect, greet, float, comfort,

Rhythm and flow of speech

Two groups of words

The way the English language flows

syllable-sounds keeps going up and coming down in this way

The way ‘non-English’ languages flow

1). Uniform stress

2). Uniform time distribution

Let English flow the way English should flow

syllables in a word group. They don’t project any syllable as a

Up and down movement

When you stress a syllable, you put emphasis on it as you

1). Polysyllabic words

Now in a two-syllable word, is it the first syllable or the second

2). Monosyllabic words

you’re speaking slow or fast. We’ll call these function words

List A: Weak function words

pronunciation of these words. So if you stress them in connected

List B: Neutral function words

• any  ni. • by  bə. • did  d. • how  həw. • I  ə. • if

E.g. John|draws mə (=more)|beautifully than|Mary.

• any  ni. • many  mni.

• I am = I’m  Λim, Λəm. • I can  Λikən. • I could 

• who are = who’re  huə (before consonants), huər(before

 wat’həd, watəd. • what has = what’s  wats. • what have =

be taken as the long form of ‘ə’). • will not = won’t  woun. •

Foot and rhythm

The fundamental principle of English

syllable in the second foot is ‘twen’. The stressed syllable in

Beating the rhythm

Keep on tapping at a uniform speed, that is, at regular intervals