How Many Syllables In Rationale?
3syllables
Rationale has 3 syllables, rat-io-nale. It is a trisyllabic word.
rationale
/ˌræʃ.əˈnɑːl/ UK /ˌræʃ.əˈnæl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, nale.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ræʃ.ə.nɑːl/
Division By Letters
rat-io-nale
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Rationale
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 | r | æ | ʃ | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | n | ɑː | l | CVC | closed |
Why Rationale Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /ʃ/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in rationale?
Rationale has 3 syllables, rat-io-nale. In British English it is transcribed /ˌræʃ.əˈnɑːl/.
Which syllable is stressed in rationale?
The third syllable, nale, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of rationale?
Rationale has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide rationale into syllables?
By sound, ræʃ.ə.nɑːl. By letters, as a spelling guide, rat-io-nale.