WORD STRESS AND RHYTHM

All the above-mentioned words with two equally strong stresses are subjected to the influence of English rhythm in con­nected speech.

Thus in a double-stressed word the first element is weakened ;f it is preceded by another stressed syllable or the second stress is likewise lost if it is followed by a stressed syllable, eg;

— How many students are there in your group?

— -* Thirteen.

"* Find 'room thirteen.

I have Vlooked 'through 'thirteen ^books today. <>r an "* absent-minded vman but: ~* so absent-xminded •in ~* unknown land but: ~+ quite un4known.