How Many Syllables In Incentive?
3syllables
Incentive has 3 syllables, in-cen-tive. It is a trisyllabic word.
incentive
/ɪnˈsen.tɪv/ UK /ɪnˈsen.t̬ɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, cen.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.sen.tɪv/
Division By Letters
in-cen-tive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Incentive
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | s | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | t | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Incentive 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 /n/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in incentive?
Incentive has 3 syllables, in-cen-tive. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in incentive?
The second syllable, cen, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of incentive?
Incentive has the structure VC/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide incentive into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.sen.tɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-cen-tive.