How Many Syllables In Exercise?
3syllables
Exercise has 3 syllables, ex-er-cise. It is a trisyllabic word.
exercise
/ˈek.sə.saɪz/ UK /ˈek.sɚ.saɪz/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ex.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ek.sə.saɪz/
Division By Letters
ex-er-cise
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Exercise
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | – | e | k | VC | closed |
| 2 | s | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | s | aɪ | z | CVC | closed |
Why Exercise Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in exercise?
Exercise has 3 syllables, ex-er-cise. In British English it is transcribed /ˈek.sə.saɪz/.
Which syllable is stressed in exercise?
The first syllable, ex, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of exercise?
Exercise has the structure VC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide exercise into syllables?
By sound, ek.sə.saɪz. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-er-cise.