How Many Syllables In Automatic?
4syllables
Automatic has 4 syllables, au-to-mat-ic. It is a polysyllabic word.
automatic
/ˌɔː.təˈmæt.ɪk/ UK /ˌɔː.t̬əˈmæt.ɪk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, mat.
Syllable Structure
V/CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɔː.tə.mæt.ɪk/
Division By Letters
au-to-mat-ic
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Automatic
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 | – | ɔː | – | V | open |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | m | æ | t | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
Why Automatic Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in automatic?
Automatic has 4 syllables, au-to-mat-ic. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɔː.təˈmæt.ɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in automatic?
The third syllable, mat, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of automatic?
Automatic has the structure V/CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide automatic into syllables?
By sound, ɔː.tə.mæt.ɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, au-to-mat-ic.
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