{"id":273211,"date":"2026-09-07T03:01:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T08:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273211"},"modified":"2026-09-07T03:01:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T08:01:02","slug":"main-stress-sentences-b1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/main-stress-sentences-b1\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Main Stress in English Sentences (B1)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>Main stress in English sentences helps you show what is most important in your message.<\/strong> When you speak, you usually make one word in a sentence sound stronger and longer than the others. This is called <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>sentence stress<\/span>. It is not always the same word; it changes depending on what you want to emphasize or what new information you are giving. For example, if you say <span data-no-translation>I *bought* the book<\/span>, you are emphasizing the action. If you say <span data-no-translation>I bought the *book*<\/span>, you are emphasizing the object. Mastering this skill makes your English clearer and more natural, helping you express exact meanings and avoid misunderstandings.<\/div>\n<h2>What is Main Stress in a Sentence?<\/h2>\n<p>Every word in English has a stressed syllable. But in a sentence, one word usually stands out more than the rest. This is the word with the <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066 <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> is the loudest, longest, and highest-pitched sound in a sentence.<\/li>\n<li>It helps listeners understand the most important part of your message.<\/li>\n<li>Think of it as shining a spotlight on a specific word.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-blended\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0E63C4,#0A2540);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf93 \u30d6\u30ec\u30f3\u30c7\u30c3\u30c9\u5b66\u7fd2\u6cd5\u3067\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u5b66\u307c\u3046<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;opacity:.95;\">\u5c11\u4eba\u6570\u5236\u30fb24\u6642\u9593365\u65e5\u5bfe\u5fdc\u306eAI\u30c1\u30e5\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u30fb\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;font-size:18px;\">\u4ee5\u4e0b\u306e\u30d7\u30e9\u30f3\u304b\u3089 <strong><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>39<\/bdi><\/span><\/strong> <s style=\"opacity:.6;\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>79<\/bdi><\/span><\/s> \u6708\u984d<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#0E63C4;\">\u30af\u30e9\u30b9\u306e\u4e88\u7d04\u3092\u3059\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Why is Main Stress Important for Meaning?<\/h2>\n<p>The position of <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> can completely change the meaning of your sentence. It tells your listener what information is new or what you want them to pay attention to.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>To highlight new information:<\/strong> When you introduce something new, you stress that word.<\/li>\n<li><strong>To show contrast:<\/strong> If you are correcting someone or comparing two things, you stress the words that show the difference.<\/li>\n<li><strong>To express emotion:<\/strong> Stress can also show surprise, anger, or excitement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Do We Use Main Stress for Emphasis?<\/h2>\n<p>Most of the time, <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> falls on <span data-no-translation>content words<\/span>. These are words that carry the main meaning of a sentence.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Content words<\/span> include nouns (<span data-no-translation>table<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>idea<\/span>), main verbs (<span data-no-translation>run<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>understand<\/span>), adjectives (<span data-no-translation>beautiful<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>difficult<\/span>), and adverbs (<span data-no-translation>quickly<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>always<\/span>).<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Function words<\/span> \uff08\u4f8b\u3048\u3070 <span data-no-translation>a<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>the<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>is<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>on<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>) are usually not stressed, unless you want to emphasize them for a special reason.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you want to emphasize a specific word, you make it stand out. This often happens when you are correcting information or giving a strong opinion.<\/p>\n<table>\n<caption>Examples of Main Stress Changing Meaning<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Sentence<\/th>\n<th>Meaning with Main Stress<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I *like* coffee.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I really enjoy it (strong feeling).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I like *coffee*.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I like coffee, not tea or juice.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>He *is* going.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>He is definitely going (confirming).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>He is *going*.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>He is leaving now (action in progress).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>\u4f8b<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I *didn't* say he stole the money.<\/span> (I denied saying it.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I didn't say *he* stole the money.<\/span> (Someone else stole it, not him.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I didn't say he *stole* the money.<\/span> (He didn't steal it; maybe he borrowed it.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I didn't say he stole the *money*.<\/span> (He stole something else, not money.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She *wants* to go to the party.<\/span> (She really desires to go.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She wants to go to the *party*.<\/span> (Not to the concert, but the party.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u7df4\u7fd2<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1138\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1138\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"I03 L7 PRONUNCIATION Main stress\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u304c\u308f\u304b\u3089\u306a\u3044\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u7121\u6599\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u5224\u5b9a\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a66\u9a13\u5b98\u304b\u3089\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%83%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5\/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%9f%e3%83%bc\/%e7%84%a1%e6%96%99%e4%bd%93%e9%a8%93\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">\u7121\u6599\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30b9\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>\u30b9\u30da\u30a4\u30f3\u8a9e\u8a71\u8005\u304c\u3088\u304f\u72af\u3059\u9593\u9055\u3044<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish speakers sometimes transfer their native language's stress patterns to English. In Spanish, stress is often more predictable or less flexible in sentences for emphasis.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Not stressing enough:<\/strong> English speakers use <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> constantly to convey meaning. If you don't stress the important words, your speech can sound flat or unclear.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stressing the wrong word:<\/strong> Stressing a <span data-no-translation>function word<\/span> \uff08\u4f8b\u3048\u3070 <span data-no-translation>the<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>is<\/span>) when it's not needed can sound unnatural. For example, saying <span data-no-translation>I want *the* book<\/span> \uff5e\u306e\u4ee3\u308f\u308a\u306b <span data-no-translation>I want the *book*<\/span> (if 'book' is the new information).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Changing meaning unintentionally:<\/strong> As seen in the examples, placing <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> on a different word can completely change what you mean. Be aware of this when speaking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>Is main stress the same as word stress?<\/h3>\n<p>No, they are related but different. <span data-no-translation>Word stress<\/span> is about which syllable is stressed within a single word (e.g., <span data-no-translation>pho-TOG-ra-pher<\/span>). <span data-no-translation>Main stress<\/span> \uff08\u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>sentence stress<\/span>) is about which *word* in a sentence is stressed most to convey meaning or emphasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Can any word be stressed in a sentence?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, theoretically any word can receive <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> if you want to emphasize it. However, it is most common for <span data-no-translation>content words<\/span> to be stressed. Stressing a <span data-no-translation>function word<\/span> usually indicates strong contrast or correction.<\/p>\n<h3>How can I practice main stress?<\/h3>\n<p>Listen carefully to native speakers in movies, podcasts, or conversations. Try to identify which words they stress. Then, practice repeating sentences, intentionally placing <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> on different words to see how the meaning changes. Reading aloud and recording yourself can also help.<\/p>\n<h3>Does main stress affect my B1 English exam score?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, correct <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> is part of good pronunciation and intonation, which are assessed in speaking exams. Using stress effectively helps you communicate clearly and naturally, contributing to a higher score in criteria like 'Pronunciation' and 'Fluency and Coherence'.<\/p>\n<h2>\u95a2\u9023\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=273072\">Word stress<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=273151\">Word stress<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Main stress in English sentences helps you show what is most important in your message. When you speak, you usually make one word in a sentence sound stronger and longer than the others. This is called main stress or sentence stress. It is not always the same word; it changes depending on what you want to emphasize or what new information you are giving. For example, if you say I *bought* the book, you are emphasizing the action. If you say I bought the *book*, you are emphasizing the object. Mastering this skill makes your English clearer and more natural, helping you express exact meanings and avoid misunderstandings. What is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Word stress","langcom_cefr":"B1","langcom_type":"pronunciation","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"Is main stress the same as word stress?\", \"a\": \"No, they are related but different. <span data-no-translation>Word stress<\/span> is about which syllable is stressed within a single word (e.g., <span data-no-translation>pho-TOG-ra-pher<\/span>). <span data-no-translation>Main stress<\/span> (or <span data-no-translation>sentence stress<\/span>) is about which *word* in a sentence is stressed most to convey meaning or emphasis.\"}, {\"q\": \"Can any word be stressed in a sentence?\", \"a\": \"Yes, theoretically any word can receive <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> if you want to emphasize it. However, it is most common for <span data-no-translation>content words<\/span> to be stressed. Stressing a <span data-no-translation>function word<\/span> usually indicates strong contrast or correction.\"}, {\"q\": \"How can I practice main stress?\", \"a\": \"Listen carefully to native speakers in movies, podcasts, or conversations. Try to identify which words they stress. Then, practice repeating sentences, intentionally placing <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> on different words to see how the meaning changes. Reading aloud and recording yourself can also help.\"}, {\"q\": \"Does main stress affect my B1 English exam score?\", \"a\": \"Yes, correct <span data-no-translation>main stress<\/span> is part of good pronunciation and intonation, which are assessed in speaking exams. Using stress effectively helps you communicate clearly and naturally, contributing to a higher score in criteria like 'Pronunciation' and 'Fluency and Coherence'.\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"Main stress in English sentences helps you show what is most important in your message.","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[168],"tags":[883,657],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b1-intermediate-english","tag-main-stress","tag-pronunciation"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"B1 Intermediate 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