How Many Syllables In Prayer?
2syllables
Prayer has 2 syllables, pra-yer. It is a disyllabic word.
prayer
/ˈpreɪ.ə/ UK /ˈpreɪ.ɚ/ US
Prayer can also be said with 1 syllable (UK /ˈpreɪə/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, pra.
Syllable Structure
CCV/V
Division By Sound
/preɪ.ə/
Division By Letters
pra-yer
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Prayer
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 | pr | eɪ | – | CCV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Prayer Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun (someone who prays) | /ˈpreɪ.ə/ | /ˈpreɪ.ɚ/ | 2 |
| Noun (someone who prays) | /ˈpreɪə/ | 1 | |
| Noun (an act of praying, or a request) | /preə/ | /prer/ | 1 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in prayer?
Prayer has 2 syllables, pra-yer. In British English it is transcribed /ˈpreɪ.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in prayer?
The first syllable, pra, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of prayer?
Prayer has the structure CCV/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide prayer into syllables?
By sound, preɪ.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, pra-yer.