How Many Syllables In Encouragement?
4syllables
Encouragement has 4 syllables, en-courag-e-ment. It is a polysyllabic word.
encouragement
/ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ.mənt/ UK /ɪnˈkɝː.ɪdʒ.mənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, courag.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/VC/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.kʌr.ɪdʒ.mənt/
Division By Letters
en-courag-e-ment
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Encouragement
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | k | ʌ | r | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | dʒ | VC | closed |
| 4 | m | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Encouragement Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /r/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in encouragement?
Encouragement has 4 syllables, en-courag-e-ment. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ.mənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in encouragement?
The second syllable, courag, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of encouragement?
Encouragement has the structure VC/CVC/VC/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide encouragement into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.kʌr.ɪdʒ.mənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, en-courag-e-ment.