From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress effeminate

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the correct stress pattern (which syllable is stressed) for the word effeminate.

Concept: In English, stress placement follows patterns. For many adjectives ending in -ate with three or more syllables, the stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable (the third from the end). The final -ate is usually pronounced weakly /ət/ or /ɪt/ in adjectives and nouns (unlike verbs, where -ate takes a stronger sound, as in demonstrate). Also, the prefix e- (/ɪ/) before a double consonant is typically unstressed.

Step by step:

1. Break the word into syllables: e - ffem - i - nate (4 syllables).
2. The dictionary pronunciation of effeminate is /ɪˈfemɪnət/.
3. The stress mark comes before fem, which is the second syllable.
4. The first syllable e is weak /ɪ/, the third i is weak, and the last -nate is weak /nət/ because effeminate is an adjective.

So the stress pattern is: e-FFEM-i-nate.

Checking the options:

• A. e-FFEM-i-nate ✔ (matches /ɪˈfemɪnət/)
• B. e-ffem-i-NATE ✘ (this would be a verb-like pronunciation, but effeminate is an adjective)
• C. e-ffem-I-nate ✘ (the stress is on the wrong syllable)
• D. E-ffem-i-nate ✘ (the first syllable is not stressed)

Answer: A

Tip: Adjectives ending in -ate (like desperate, fortunate, effeminate, considerate) keep the final syllable weak, and the stress usually falls earlier in the word. Only verbs ending in -ate (like indicate, demonstrate) take a stronger final -ate sound. Always say the word aloud and listen for the strongest beat.