Stress for Clarity in English

In English, word stress isn’t just about sound—it’s about meaning. The word you emphasize in a sentence can change what the sentence means. This video shows you how shifting stress in the sentence “I said you have a mild allergy” changes the focus and meaning each time.

For example, stressing “I” shows that you—not someone else—said it. Stressing “mild” highlights that it’s not a serious allergy. And “allergy” clarifies that you don’t have something else, like a cold. This kind of stress helps you sound clear, confident, and natural in English.

When you don’t stress the right word, people may misunderstand your point. Native speakers use this technique all the time, often without even realizing it.

Watch the video and repeat each version out loud. Practicing this skill will improve your speaking clarity and help you handle misunderstandings better. Whether you’re giving a presentation or having a casual conversation, mastering stress for clarity will take your English to the next level.