How Many Syllables In Tentative?
3syllables
Tentative has 3 syllables, ten-ta-tive. It is a trisyllabic word.
tentative
/ˈten.tə.tɪv/ UK /ˈten.t̬ə.t̬ɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ten.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ten.tə.tɪv/
Division By Letters
ten-ta-tive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Tentative
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 | t | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | t | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Tentative Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in tentative?
Tentative has 3 syllables, ten-ta-tive. In British English it is transcribed /ˈten.tə.tɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in tentative?
The first syllable, ten, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of tentative?
Tentative has the structure CVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide tentative into syllables?
By sound, ten.tə.tɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, ten-ta-tive.