How Many Syllables In Exceptional?
4syllables
Exceptional has 4 syllables, ex-cep-tion-al. It is a polysyllabic word.
exceptional
/ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl/ UK /ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, cep.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɪk.sep.ʃən.əl/
Division By Letters
ex-cep-tion-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Exceptional
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | s | e | p | CVC | closed |
| 3 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Exceptional Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Syllable 3 ends in /n/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in exceptional?
Exceptional has 4 syllables, ex-cep-tion-al. In British English it is transcribed /ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in exceptional?
The second syllable, cep, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of exceptional?
Exceptional has the structure VC/CVC/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide exceptional into syllables?
By sound, ɪk.sep.ʃən.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-cep-tion-al.
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