How Many Syllables In Excellent?
3syllables
Excellent has 3 syllables, ex-ce-llent. It is a trisyllabic word.
excellent
/ˈek.sə.lənt/ UK /ˈek.sə.lənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ex.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ek.sə.lənt/
Division By Letters
ex-ce-llent
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Excellent
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 | – | e | k | VC | closed |
| 2 | s | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | l | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Excellent Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in excellent?
Excellent has 3 syllables, ex-ce-llent. In British English it is transcribed /ˈek.sə.lənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in excellent?
The first syllable, ex, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of excellent?
Excellent has the structure VC/CV/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide excellent into syllables?
By sound, ek.sə.lənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-ce-llent.