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