An important kind of stress in English is "contrastive focus." The situation of the conversation determines this.

"Do YOU want to go?"; "Do you WANT to go?"; "Do you want to GO?"

These have different meanings, and the stressed (also called "emphasized") word marks a contrast with something else. As examples, "I, myself, want to go. But do YOU want to go?"; "I know it is necessary that you go, but do you WANT to go?"; "We have been here a long time, do you want to GO?"

You might see, the emphasis suggests something in contrast OUTSIDE the sentence itself. "Do you like the red one?" "No, I like the BLUE one." Do you like the red one?" "No, I HATE the blue one."

If you listen to English conversations, you will see the principle of "contrastive focus" in use in numerous situations. I'll be posting a few words on the three levels of stress found in polysyllabic English words very soon.

Dear, Professor Carl,


It's glad to see your posting topic again. In this topic, maybe you had made a mistake here. The question is " Do you like the red one?", whether the answer is"No, I HATE the blue one." I think if you ask for red one, you express your preference, maybe you should answer you hate the red one not the bule one. HaHa, DO you agree?


Best Regards!

—honeymoon

Replying to [Professor Carl]:

Thank you for your hardwork and contribution here. I've learned a lot from you. Can you tell us where we can learn some English famous sayings or idioms? Thanks a lot.

Replying to [Professor Carl]:

Dear Professor Carl, it was good learning from you. Looking forward to more on this topic.

Replying to [Professor Carl]:Hi, thanks, Professor Carl, it's a good topic for us to learn English.

Replying to [honeymoon ]:it's a intersting answer. one chinese idiom: DA FEI SUO WEN!!!

Replying to [Professor Carl]:
Hi, Professor Carl, you always make us feel good to learn our English. Thank you very much. Waiting for your more posting information about Stress in English.

Replying to [Professor Carl]:

thanks Professor Carl for such useful tips. some people may not realise that the use of certain phrases, choice of words or more importantly where to place emphasis in our conversation does help in communication and getting messages across. we may not do it consciously, but in reality, and in my experience in particular the use of emphasis is quite useful in negotiation.. at the end of the day it's about getting what we want, and what we are prepared to give away in return for what we're after.. always the basis of effective negotiating skills.

Quoting from [honeymoon ]:


Dear, Professor Carl,



It's glad to see your posting topic again. In this topic, maybe you had made a mistake here. The question is " Do you like the red one?", whether the answer is"No, I HATE the blue one." I think if you ask for red one, you express your preference, maybe you should answer you hate the red one not the bule one. HaHa, DO you agree?



Best Regards!


—honeymoon


I DO agree -- however, perhaps you should have written "Do you AGREE" (HeeHee) -- I made a little fauxpas -- that's French for "mistake", i.e., "false step".

Quoting from [honeymoon]:



Replying to [Professor Carl]:


Hi, Professor Carl, you always make us feel good to learn our English. Thank you very much. Waiting for your more posting information about Stress in English.


Thanks for the kind words. If you wonder where I've been... the internet cable coming into my house has been troublesome for months... these last three weeks it has been a disaster for my communication. A short while ago the technician left me after visiting my house for repairs. He said it's ok now. I've heard that several times before, so I'm left slightly skeptical.

Quoting from [Business in China]:


Replying to [Professor Carl]:


Thank you for your hardwork and contribution here. I've learned a lot from you. Can you tell us where we can learn some English famous sayings or idioms? Thanks a lot.


Yes, I would be glad to. Send me a private communication, mention my note here, we can have a little private correspondence about it, and then the results  of our discourse  I can post for the benefit of others on English Corner. OK?