How Many Syllables In Attentive?
3syllables
Attentive has 3 syllables, a-tten-tive. It is a trisyllabic word.
attentive
/əˈten.tɪv/ UK /əˈten.t̬ɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, tten.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/ə.ten.tɪv/
Division By Letters
a-tten-tive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Attentive
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | t | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Attentive Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in attentive?
Attentive has 3 syllables, a-tten-tive. In British English it is transcribed /əˈten.tɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in attentive?
The second syllable, tten, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of attentive?
Attentive has the structure V/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide attentive into syllables?
By sound, ə.ten.tɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, a-tten-tive.