Prefixes that never take the stress

1. 1
   delay/dɪˈleɪ/

   noun

   A stretch of time spent waiting for something to happen.
2. 2
   explain/ɪkˈspleɪn/

   verb

   To make something clear so another person understands it.
3. 3
   receive/rəˈsiːv/iAlso said riːˈsiːv.

   verb

   To get something that is given or sent to you.
4. 4
   request/rɪˈkwest/iAlso said riːˈkwest.

   verb

   To ask for something you want or need.
5. 5
   exchange/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/

   verb

   To swap something for another one of the same kind.
6. 6
   suggest/səˈdʒest/

   verb

   To put an idea forward for other people to think about.
7. 7
   occur/əˈkɜːr/

   verb

   To happen or take place.
8. 8
   return/rɪˈtɜːrn/iAlso said riːˈtɜːrn.

   verb

   To give something back to the person or place it came from.
9. 9
   express/ɪkˈspres/

   adjective

   Fast, with few stops along the way or none at all.
10. 10
    between/bɪˈtwiːn/iAlso said biːˈtwiːn.

    adverb

    In the space or the time that separates two things.

The sentences

1. Can you tell me why there's such a delay?

2. Could you explain what happened to my package please?

3. I should receive the package before the weekend.

4. I'd like to request a refund for this order.

5. Could I exchange the item when it finally arrives?

6. What do you suggest I do about this?

7. Does this kind of delay occur often?

8. I'd rather return it than wait any longer.

9. Could you send the next one by express delivery?

10. You shipped it last week, so what happened in between?

Pronunciation

• receive/rəˈsiːv/

  The first syllable is a quick "ruh" with no weight on it; the stress lands on the second.

• exchange/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/

  Stress on the second syllable: iks-CHANGE.

• suggest/səˈdʒest/

  Comes out as "suh-JEST"; the double g is the j sound in jest.

• occur/əˈkɜːr/

  The first syllable is just "uh", and the two c's make one k sound: uh-KUR.

Questions

How do you ask why a package is delayed?

Say 'Can you tell me why there's such a delay?'

What does 'occur' mean here?

It means to happen or take place, as in 'Does this kind of delay occur often?'

How do you ask for a refund?

Say 'I'd like to request a refund for this order.'