• SorryImLate@piefed.socialEnglish
    0·
    17 days ago

    The primary accent for 2-syllable words that are used as both a noun and a verb depends on the part of speech. The noun places the primary accent on the 1st syllable, the verb on the 2nd syllable.

    Examples:
    The musician records a record.
    The farmer produces produce.
    You’re not permitted to fish without a permit.

    • palordrolap@fedia.io
      0·
      17 days ago

      Potential exception: “Adult.” Arguably because it generally isn’t a verb when emphasis is on the second syllable, some people do that even when it’s a noun.

      I’m an Adult vs. I’m an aDULT. *

      Use as of “adult” as a verb is non-standard and where to emphasise that is even less clear-cut for those of us who put the emphasis on the first syllable of the noun. Interestingly, “adulterate” is less strange as a verb and the emphasis is definitely on the second syllable there.

      We could tie ourselves in knots analysing the late emphasis form as a verbified noun, re-nounified. Ow.

      * The underlying truth of said statement is irrelevant. Chronologically, I have been one for some time. Mentally… ehh.

      • SorryImLate@piefed.socialEnglish
        0·
        17 days ago

        Not an exception for me, I definitely use different accents for adulting / adulteration and adult. Maybe that’s a British vs US English difference?