The rhythm of spoken English is based on timing (as in drumbeats) of syllables. It is characterized by an uneven timing of segments with some stressed and thereby spoken longer, louder, and clearer and others reduced and thereby spoken quicker and simpler.

A person who speaks English with the rhythm of another language is said to speak with an accent. Many who speak English with an accent tend to apply equal stress to all syllables and also tend to speak too rapidly, This makes their speech difficult to [comprehend] understand especially to unfamiliar listeners and in phone conversation. By learning to apply proper timing to words the learner will speak English with its natural rhythm and with appropriate rate.

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