Speak English Like a Native: Intonation and Stress Tips

Pronunciation isn’t just about individual sounds—it’s about how you say them. Intonation and stress are what make your speech sound natural. Learn how to use these techniques to level up your spoken English.

1. Understand Sentence Stress

In English, content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) are stressed, while function words (the, and, of) are not. Example: "I WANT to GO to the store."

2. Use Rising and Falling Intonation

Use rising tones in yes/no questions: "Do you like it?" Use falling tones in statements: "I live in Canada."

3. Practice Thought Groups

Break sentences into chunks. Example: "When I was younger / I wanted to be a doctor." This improves rhythm and clarity.

4. Record and Compare

Record your voice and compare it with native speakers. This feedback loop helps identify gaps in stress and tone.

5. Shadow Native Speakers

Repeat after videos or podcasts word-for-word, mimicking tone and speed. It’s one of the fastest ways to sound natural.

Speak with confidence and clarity. Practice intonation and stress daily, and your English will sound smoother and more native-like than ever!