Suffixes that influence stress in the stem

In these examples primary stress is on the last syllable of the stem.

Finally, when the suffixes '-ance', '-ant' and '-ary' are attached to single-syllable stems, the stress is almost always placed on the stem (e.g. 'guidance', 'sealant', 'dietary'). When the stem has more than one syllable, the stress is on one of the syllables in the stem. To explain this we need to use a rule based on syllable structure, as was done for simple words. If the final syllable of the stem is strong, that syllable receives the stress. For example: 'importance' ɪm'pɔ:tns 'centenary' sen'ti:nṛi.

Otherwise the syllable before the last one receives the stress: 'inheritance' ɪn'herɪtəns, 'military' 'mɪlɪtri.