Where does the primary stress fall in "algorithm"?
AL-go-rithm takes primary stress on the first syllable, pronounced roughly /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪð.əm/. Many learners wrongly stress the second syllable because of the related word 'logarithm', but the two are unrelated. Say a strong, clear AL and let the rest of the word fall away into quiet, reduced syllables. The middle vowels become the soft schwa /ə/ sound, so it is never 'al-GO-rithm'. Keep the rhythm front-loaded: one loud beat followed by three quiet ones.
2 / 5
Which syllable is stressed in "parameter"?
pa-RA-me-ter carries stress on the second syllable, /pəˈræ.mɪ.tər/. This follows the same pattern as 'thermometer' and 'barometer', where the stress lands on the syllable before '-meter'. Do not confuse it with 'parameter' said as four flat beats; the second syllable should be noticeably louder and longer. The first syllable reduces to a schwa, almost 'puh'. In code reviews you will hear this word constantly, so getting the stress right makes you sound natural and confident.
3 / 5
Where is the stress in "developer"?
de-VE-lo-per is stressed on the second syllable, /dɪˈvɛl.ə.pər/, matching the verb 'develop'. The opening 'de' is short and unstressed, and the final '-loper' fades into reduced vowels. A common mistake is to over-pronounce every syllable equally, which sounds robotic. Instead, give one strong push on VE and relax the others. The same rule applies to 'development' and 'developing', so once you fix this stress pattern you fix a whole family of everyday tech words.
4 / 5
Which syllable is stressed in the verb "execute"?
EX-e-cute takes first-syllable stress, /ˈek.sɪ.kjuːt/. The strong beat is on 'EX', the middle 'e' reduces to a schwa, and '-cute' keeps a clear /juː/ sound without being stressed. Note that the related noun 'execution' shifts stress to '-CU-' (ex-e-CU-tion), a useful contrast. When you run a program or a query you 'EX-e-cute' it, so anchor the loudness at the front. Saying 'ex-e-CUTE' sounds unnatural and can confuse listeners in a standup.
5 / 5
Where does the stress fall in the verb "configure"?
con-FI-gure is stressed on the second syllable, /kənˈfɪɡ.ər/. The first syllable 'con' reduces to 'kuhn' with a schwa, and the final '-gure' is quiet. This mirrors 'configuration' only partly, since the noun moves the main stress to '-RA-' (con-fi-gu-RA-tion). Engineers often say 'config' as a clipped form, stressed CON-fig, but the full verb keeps the beat on the middle. Push hard on FI and let the edges of the word stay soft and low.