Functional Stress

Functional Stress

There are a number of two syllable words (but certainly not all of them) which
function both as noun (or adjective) and as verb, e.g., conduct, convict, etc.
Whenever such words occur in sentences, the stress is (a) on the first syllable
when they are used as noun or adjective, and
 (b) on the second syllable when
used as verb.
The following examples illustrate the point.
Listen carefully to the stress on the words :

i (a) Her 'conduct is good (noun)
(b) She con'ducts herself well. (verb)

ii (a) What is our 'import policy? (adjective)
(b) We im'port this item from the USA. (verb)

iii (a) He was 'present here yesterday (adjective)
(b) Please pre'sent your case (verb)

iv (a) Tell me the 'object of your visit. (noun)
(b) I ob'ject to your proposal. (verb)

v (a) The ‘convict was arrested (noun).
(b) He was con'victed by the judge (verb).