How Many Syllables In “because”?
2syllables
“because” has 2 syllables, be-cause. It is a disyllabic word.
because
/bɪˈkɒz/ UK /bɪˈkʌz/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, cause.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/bɪ.kɒz/
Division By Letters
be-cause
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Because
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | b | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | k | ɒ | z | CVC | closed |
Why Because Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong form | /bɪˈkɒz/ | /bɪˈkʌz/ | 2 |
| Weak form | /bɪˈkəz/ | /bɪˈkəz/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in because?
“because” has 2 syllables, be-cause. In British English it is transcribed /bɪˈkɒz/.
Which syllable is stressed in because?
The second syllable, cause, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of because?
“because” has the structure CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide because into syllables?
By sound, bɪ.kɒz. By letters, as a spelling guide, be-cause.