How Many Syllables In Preoccupation?
5syllables
Preoccupation has 5 syllables, pre-occ-u-pa-tion. It is a polysyllabic word.
preoccupation
/prɪˌɒk.jəˈpeɪ.ʃən/ UK /prɪˌɑː.kjəˈpeɪ.ʃən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the fourth syllable, pa.
Syllable Structure
CCV/VC/CV/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/prɪ.ɒk.jə.peɪ.ʃən/
Division By Letters
pre-occ-u-pa-tion
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Preoccupation
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pr | ɪ | – | CCV | open |
| 2 secondary stress | – | ɒ | k | VC | closed |
| 3 | j | ə | – | CV | open |
| 4 primary stress | p | eɪ | – | CV | open |
| 5 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
Why Preoccupation Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /p/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 4 and 5, /ʃ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in preoccupation?
Preoccupation has 5 syllables, pre-occ-u-pa-tion. In British English it is transcribed /prɪˌɒk.jəˈpeɪ.ʃən/.
Which syllable is stressed in preoccupation?
The fourth syllable, pa, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of preoccupation?
Preoccupation has the structure CCV/VC/CV/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide preoccupation into syllables?
By sound, prɪ.ɒk.jə.peɪ.ʃən. By letters, as a spelling guide, pre-occ-u-pa-tion.
Other Words With Five Syllables
secondarilyundemocraticvocabularyassimilationcounterproductiveexaminationimprovisationintellectualmechanicallyopportunity