Choose the most appropriate stress pattern from the options below
palatable
-
PAL—a—ta—ble
- pal—A—ta—ble
- pal—a—TA—ble
- pal—a—ta—BLE
The correct answer is: A
Explanation
Some words are made up of a root and a suffix:
dangerous = root –> danger + ous –< suffix
commercial = root –> commerc(e) + al –< suffix
In some words with suffixes, the stress stays on the same syllable as in the root. Compare:
‘danger and: ‘dangerous
In other words, the suffix changes the stressed syllable. Compare:
‘commerce and: com‘mercial
Suffixes which don’t usually change the stress pattern in the root word include (however they maybe some exceptions.) -able, -age, -al, -er, -ful, -less, -ness, -ous and -fy. For example:
comfort – ‘comfortable
per‘cent – per’centage
e‘lectric – e‘lectrical
‘amplify –‘amplifier
re‘gret – re‘gretful
re‘gard – re‘gardless
‘foolish – ‘foolishness
di‘saster – di‘sastrous
‘beauty – ‘beautify
(However they maybe some exceptions.) Exceptions with -able and -al include:
ad‘mire – ‘admirable
pre‘fer – ‘preferable
‘medicine – me‘dicinal
‘agriculture – agri‘cultural
There is an explanation video available .