How Many Syllables In Potential?
3syllables
Potential has 3 syllables, po-ten-tial. It is a trisyllabic word.
potential
/pəˈten.ʃəl/ UK /pəˈten.ʃəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ten.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/pə.ten.ʃəl/
Division By Letters
po-ten-tial
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Potential
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | ʃ | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Potential Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ 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 potential?
Potential has 3 syllables, po-ten-tial. In British English it is transcribed /pəˈten.ʃəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in potential?
The second syllable, ten, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of potential?
Potential has the structure CV/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide potential into syllables?
By sound, pə.ten.ʃəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, po-ten-tial.