5 exercises on where to place primary stress in common technical compound nouns.
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Where does stress fall in the compound noun "software developer"?
In software developer, the primary stress is SOFT-ware /ˈsɒftweər/ (on the first syllable of "software") and DE-vel-op-er /dɪˈvɛləpər/ (on the second syllable "vel"). So the full phrase: "SOFT-ware de-VEL-op-er." In compounds, the first element usually takes the leading stress. So "she's a SOFT-ware de-VEL-op-er at the startup."
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Where does the main stress fall in "bug tracker"?
In the compound noun bug tracker, the primary stress falls on BUG /bʌɡ/: "BUG track-er" /ˈbʌɡ træk.ər/. This follows the standard English compound noun stress rule: the first element carries the primary stress. So "file it in the BUG tracker", "check the BUG tracker daily." "TRACK-er" receives secondary stress, but "BUG" is the prominent syllable.
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Where does stress fall in "code review"?
In the compound noun code review, the primary stress is on CODE: "CODE re-view" /ˈkoʊd ˌriːvjuː/. "Review" itself has stress on its first syllable "RE" /riː/, but the compound foregrounds "CODE." So "let's schedule a CODE re-view", "I'll leave comments in the CODE re-view." English compound nouns consistently stress the first element more prominently.
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Where does stress fall in "pull request"?
In the compound pull request, the primary stress is on PULL: "PULL re-quest" /ˈpʊl rɪˌkwɛst/. "Request" on its own stresses the second syllable ("re-QUEST"), but inside the compound, "PULL" takes primary prominence. So "open a PULL re-quest", "merge the PULL re-quest." This is the standard compound noun pattern.
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Where does stress fall in "open source"?
In the compound adjective/noun open source, the primary stress is on O-pen: "O-pen source" /ˈoʊpən sɔːrs/. When used as a compound modifier ("open-source software"), "O" carries the primary beat. So "an O-pen-source project", "it's completely O-pen source." The stress on "O" distinguishes the compound from the phrase "the code is now open to source."