There actually is a bit of a pattern to some of these. When there
is both a noun and a verb form of a multi-syllabic word, the noun
is usually accented on the first syllable, while the verb is accented
on the second. In other respects it's just a hash, of course.
Steve Schaffner
sfs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> This is for those on the list who are into linguistics.
>
>
> >
> > No wonder the English language is so very difficult to learn:
> >
> > § We polish the Polish furniture.
> > § He could lead if he would get the lead out.
> > § A farm can produce produce.
> > § The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.
> > § The soldier decided to desert in the desert.
> > § The present is a good time to present the present.
> > § At the Army base, a bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.
> > § The dove dove into the bushes.
> > § I did not object to the object.
> > § The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
> > § The bandage was wound around the wound.
> > § There was a row among the row of oarsmen about how to row.
> > § They were too close to the door to close it.
> > § The buck does funny things when the does are present.
> > § They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
> > § To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
> > § The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
> > § After a number of Novocain injections, my jaw got number.
> > § I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my clothes.
> > § I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
> > § How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
> > § I spent last evening evening out a pile of dirt.
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