How Many Syllables In Ascertain?
3syllables
Ascertain has 3 syllables, asc-er-tain. It is a trisyllabic word.
ascertain
/ˌæs.əˈteɪn/ UK /ˌæs.ɚˈteɪn/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, tain.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/æs.ə.teɪn/
Division By Letters
asc-er-tain
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Ascertain
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 | – | æ | s | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | t | eɪ | n | CVC | closed |
Why Ascertain Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in ascertain?
Ascertain has 3 syllables, asc-er-tain. In British English it is transcribed /ˌæs.əˈteɪn/.
Which syllable is stressed in ascertain?
The third syllable, tain, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of ascertain?
Ascertain has the structure VC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide ascertain into syllables?
By sound, æs.ə.teɪn. By letters, as a spelling guide, asc-er-tain.