How Many Syllables In Narrative?
3syllables
Narrative has 3 syllables, narr-a-tive. It is a trisyllabic word.
narrative
/ˈnær.ə.tɪv/ UK /ˈner.ə.t̬ɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, narr.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/nær.ə.tɪv/
Division By Letters
narr-a-tive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Narrative
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 | n | æ | r | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Narrative Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /r/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in narrative?
Narrative has 3 syllables, narr-a-tive. In British English it is transcribed /ˈnær.ə.tɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in narrative?
The first syllable, narr, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of narrative?
Narrative has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide narrative into syllables?
By sound, nær.ə.tɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, narr-a-tive.