How Many Syllables In Critically?
4syllables
Critically has 4 syllables, crit-i-ca-lly. It is a polysyllabic word.
critically
/ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl.i/ UK /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kə.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, crit.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/V/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/krɪt.ɪ.kəl.i/
Division By Letters
crit-i-ca-lly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Critically
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | kr | ɪ | t | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | k | ə | l | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Critically Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /l/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in critically?
Critically has 4 syllables, crit-i-ca-lly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in critically?
The first syllable, crit, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of critically?
Critically has the structure CCVC/V/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide critically into syllables?
By sound, krɪt.ɪ.kəl.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, crit-i-ca-lly.