How Many Syllables In Ambivalent?
4syllables
Ambivalent has 4 syllables, am-biv-a-lent. It is a polysyllabic word.
ambivalent
/æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/ UK /æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, biv.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/V/CVCC
Division By Sound
/æm.bɪv.ə.lənt/
Division By Letters
am-biv-a-lent
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Ambivalent
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | æ | m | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | b | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | l | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Ambivalent Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /v/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in ambivalent?
Ambivalent has 4 syllables, am-biv-a-lent. In British English it is transcribed /æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in ambivalent?
The second syllable, biv, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of ambivalent?
Ambivalent has the structure VC/CVC/V/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide ambivalent into syllables?
By sound, æm.bɪv.ə.lənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, am-biv-a-lent.
Other Words With Four Syllables
classicallyderivativeexperimentimpossibleinvestigatenationallypersistentlyrecitationsolicitousunnatural