How Many Syllables In Commencement?
3syllables
Commencement has 3 syllables, co-mmen-cement. It is a trisyllabic word.
commencement
/kəˈmens.mənt/ UK /kəˈmens.mənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, mmen.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVCC/CVCC
Division By Sound
/kə.mens.mənt/
Division By Letters
co-mmen-cement
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Commencement
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | k | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | m | e | ns | CVCC | closed |
| 3 | m | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Commencement Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /ns/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in commencement?
Commencement has 3 syllables, co-mmen-cement. In British English it is transcribed /kəˈmens.mənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in commencement?
The second syllable, mmen, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of commencement?
Commencement has the structure CV/CVCC/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide commencement into syllables?
By sound, kə.mens.mənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, co-mmen-cement.