extravagant — choose the one that has the correct stress

Analyze the question: You are asked to identify where the primary stress falls in the word extravagant (4 syllables: ex-tra-va-gant).

Concept: In English, stress placement follows patterns. Words ending in -ant (like important, elegant, arrogant) usually do not take stress on the final suffix. The stress usually falls earlier in the word, often on the third syllable from the end (the antepenultimate syllable).

Working it out:

1. Syllables: ex | TRA | va | gant
2. The suffix -ant is unstressed, so option D is out.
3. The dictionary pronunciation is /ɪkˈstrævəɡənt/. The stress falls on the second syllable, -TRA-.
4. The first syllable ex- is a weak, unstressed syllable /ɪk/, so option A is out.
5. The third syllable -va- is a weak syllable /və/, so option C is out.

Correct stress: ex-TRA-va-gant

Tip: Compare similar words:

• ex-TRA-va-gant
• ex-TRAOR-di-nar-y (also stressed on the "tra" part)
• ex-TRA-ne-ous

When a word begins with ex- followed by tra, the stress usually lands on the tra syllable. Also, remember that endings like -ant and -ent are rarely stressed.