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Accent on second syllable for "preference"

English Language & Usage Asked on November 21, 2021

Dictionaries say that the word “preference” has got the accent on the first syllable.

In a film the actor Jonny Lee Miller pronounced it with accent on the second syllable.
It was not the first time I heard somebody pronounce it that way.

Where does it come from?

One Answer

The generally accepted pronunciation, at least in Britain, is PREFerence. That is what is preFERRED, and the one that I particularly preFER. (Note how the emphasis changes).

But "preFERence" does seem a possibility - if one were needing to add stress to the word.

Answered by WS2 on November 21, 2021

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