Final answer:
In three-syllable words, primary stress on the first or the last syllable leads to a secondary stress on the opposite end. Words like 'turbulent' utilize a trochee stress pattern, whereas 'unimpressed' follows an anapest and 'probably' a dactyl.
Step-by-step explanation:
In three-syllable words, when the strongest or primary stress is on the first syllable (as in "turbulent") or on the last syllable (as in "understand"), we give the syllable at the opposite end of the word a secondary stress.
Understanding syllable stress patterns is important for correct pronunciation and rhythm in English. Words like "turbulent" follow a trochee stress pattern, where the first syllable is stressed and the subsequent one is unstressed (/ x x).
For words such as "mountain," the stress pattern aligns with the definition of a trochee, where the first syllable is stressed followed by an unstressed one (/ x). Similarly, the rhythm of "unimpressed" aligns with the definition of an anapest (x x /) while "probably" aligns with a dactyl (/ x x).
When a student is tasked with analyzing English poetry or language, they may come across various stress patterns such as the iamb (x /) and the spondee (//), which also affect the pronunciation and flow of English poetry and prose.