How Many Syllables In Offensive?
3syllables
Offensive has 3 syllables, o-ffen-sive. It is a trisyllabic word.
offensive
/əˈfen.sɪv/ UK /əˈfen.sɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ffen.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/ə.fen.sɪv/
Division By Letters
o-ffen-sive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Offensive
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | f | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | s | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Offensive Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /f/ 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 offensive?
Offensive has 3 syllables, o-ffen-sive. In British English it is transcribed /əˈfen.sɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in offensive?
The second syllable, ffen, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of offensive?
Offensive has the structure V/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide offensive into syllables?
By sound, ə.fen.sɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, o-ffen-sive.