English is a stress-timed language
Examples:
1.
Dogs chase cats.
The dogs chase the cats.
The dogs will chase the cats.
The dogs will be chasing the cats.
2.
COME SEE him.
COME to SEE him.
You CAME to SEE him.
You should COME in order to MEET him.
You should have COME before it got so LATE.
Exercises:
The intervals between the stressed syllables should be fairly the same, the stressed syllables should be spaced out evenly, and the unstressed syllables should be made to accommodate themselves to the steady movement of the stresses.
he came late to the office /
we travelled all night in the train /
John wanted to take it away from her /
it’s not quite what I (I) wanted /
please call back later /
please call them back later
