How Many Syllables In Emotional?
4syllables
Emotional has 4 syllables, e-mo-tion-al. It is a polysyllabic word.
emotional
/ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl/ UK /ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl/ US
Emotional can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /ɪˈməʊʃ.nəl/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, mo.
Syllable Structure
V/CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɪ.məʊ.ʃən.əl/
Division By Letters
e-mo-tion-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Emotional
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | m | əʊ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Emotional Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ʃ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /n/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl/ | /ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən.əl/ | 4 |
| Also | /ɪˈməʊʃ.nəl/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in emotional?
Emotional has 4 syllables, e-mo-tion-al. In British English it is transcribed /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in emotional?
The second syllable, mo, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of emotional?
Emotional has the structure V/CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide emotional into syllables?
By sound, ɪ.məʊ.ʃən.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, e-mo-tion-al.