Content words, Structure words and Focus Words

Basic Sentence Stress

• English is stress-timed, irregular syllable length
• Timing depends on the number of stressed words
• Content words are normally stressed – nouns, main verbs, adjectives, adverbs, negative contractions (won't, can't, isn't)
• Function words are normally unstressed – articles, pronouns, auxiliary verbs, prepositions, modals, the verb “be”. These words are usually reduced.

Cows eat grass. (3)

The cows eat the grass. (5)

The cows are eating the grass. (7)

The cows have been eating the grass. (8)

The cows are eating the new grass. (this takes longer)

Five Different Sentence Types:

1 Statement - The conference call is at ten.

2 Closed Question - Is the conference call at ten?

3 Open Question - What time is the conference call?

4 Clarification - What time is the conference call ? (clarification)

5 Yes or No / Either / Or - Is the conference call at nine or ten?

Content and Structure Words

1 They hardly notice the time when they work in teams.

2 My company is facing a difficult decision.

3 What time is the meeting on curriculum development?

4 Many schools are turning to online education for greater flexibility.

5 Do you think she works hard enough?

6 The decision is hard for her.

The Focus Word is the last Content Word when you INTRODUCE a subject but after you introduce a subject it's important to understand any word can become the Focus Word and generally, it's the NEW information. New information gets emphasized and old information gets deemphasized.

2 My company is facing a difficult decision.

          What kind of decision?

Start from the end and work backwards.

The board members will need to come in from out of town.

Please save me a seat on the train.

The meeting is at 1 o' clock this afternoon.

How long does it take to answer a client request?

Can you meet at eleven on Tuesday?

Our suppliers aren't interested in a such a small order.