What beat is accented to cause syncopation?

Syncopation occurs when emphasis is placed on a normally unaccented beat or part of a beat, creating a shift in the rhythmic flow. In common time (4/4), this often involves accenting the off-beats, such as the second and fourth beats, or even subdividing the beats to highlight the "and" counts. By disrupting the expected rhythmic pattern, syncopation adds interest and complexity to the music.