Pronunciation: Shifting of word stress

The pronunciation of many etymologically related words involves a shifting of stress as illustrated below:

 Further examples of shifting of word stress:

• • The money was donated by a businessman who wishes to remain anonymous.
  • Names of people in the document were changed to preserve anonymity.

• • He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who say one thing but do another.
  • It would be hypocritical of me to get married in a church if I am not a Christian.

• • Ten people voted in favour, five against and two abstained.
  • He practises total abstinence from strong drinks.

• • He made one mistake and his career came to an ignominious end.
  • They suffered the ignominy of defeat.

• • She is very ingenious when it comes to finding excuses.
  • The problem tested the ingenuity even of the most imaginative students.

• • This course aims to compare English grammar and Chinese grammar.
  • The situation in the US is not directly comparable to that in our country.