How Many Syllables In Operational?
5syllables
Operational has 5 syllables, op-e-ra-tion-al. It is a polysyllabic word.
operational
/ˌɒp.əˈreɪ.ʃən.əl/ UK /ˌɑː.pəˈreɪ.ʃən.əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, ra.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɒp.ə.reɪ.ʃən.əl/
Division By Letters
op-e-ra-tion-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Operational
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ɒ | p | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | r | eɪ | – | CV | open |
| 4 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
| 5 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Operational Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /ʃ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 4 ends in /n/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in operational?
Operational has 5 syllables, op-e-ra-tion-al. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɒp.əˈreɪ.ʃən.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in operational?
The third syllable, ra, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of operational?
Operational has the structure VC/V/CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide operational into syllables?
By sound, ɒp.ə.reɪ.ʃən.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, op-e-ra-tion-al.
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