This tip deals with the word-initial sequence <cata>.
The list below contains examples of words where the first syllable bears the main stress. The pronunciation of the sequence is ˈkætə.
cataclasm cataclysm catacomb catafalque Catalan catalepsy catalogue catalyst catapult cataract
In the second list there are examples where the first syllable bears a secondary stress and the pronunciation is ˌkætə.
Catalonia catalytic catastrophic catatonia catatonic
Finally, here are some examples of words where the second syllable bears the main stress and the pronunciation is kəˈtæ.
catabolism catastrophe catalysis
Catalan can also be pronounced ˌkætəˈlæn.
Catamaran is pronounced either ˈkætəməræn or ˌkætəməˈræn.
Catarrh is pronounced kəˈtɑː.
2014_07_12