How Many Syllables In Predatory?
4syllables
Predatory has 4 syllables, pred-a-tor-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
predatory
/ˈpred.ə.tər.i/ UK /ˈpred.ə.tɔːr.i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, pred.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/V/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/pred.ə.tər.i/
Division By Letters
pred-a-tor-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Predatory
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 | e | d | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | ə | r | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Predatory Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /d/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in predatory?
Predatory has 4 syllables, pred-a-tor-y. In British English it is transcribed /ˈpred.ə.tər.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in predatory?
The first syllable, pred, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of predatory?
Predatory has the structure CCVC/V/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide predatory into syllables?
By sound, pred.ə.tər.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, pred-a-tor-y.