How Many Syllables In Scientific?
4syllables
Scientific has 4 syllables, sci-en-tif-ic. It is a polysyllabic word.
scientific
/ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/ UK /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/ US
Scientific can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /ˌsaɪənˈtɪf.ɪk/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, tif.
Syllable Structure
CV/VC/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/saɪ.ən.tɪf.ɪk/
Division By Letters
sci-en-tif-ic
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Scientific
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | s | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
| 3 primary stress | t | ɪ | f | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
Why Scientific Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/ | /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/ | 4 |
| Also | /ˌsaɪənˈtɪf.ɪk/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in scientific?
Scientific has 4 syllables, sci-en-tif-ic. In British English it is transcribed /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in scientific?
The third syllable, tif, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of scientific?
Scientific has the structure CV/VC/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide scientific into syllables?
By sound, saɪ.ən.tɪf.ɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, sci-en-tif-ic.
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