How Many Syllables In Retention?
3syllables
Retention has 3 syllables, re-ten-tion. It is a trisyllabic word.
retention
/rɪˈten.ʃən/ UK /rɪˈten.ʃən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ten.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/rɪ.ten.ʃən/
Division By Letters
re-ten-tion
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Retention
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | r | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
Why Retention 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 retention?
Retention has 3 syllables, re-ten-tion. In British English it is transcribed /rɪˈten.ʃən/.
Which syllable is stressed in retention?
The second syllable, ten, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of retention?
Retention has the structure CV/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide retention into syllables?
By sound, rɪ.ten.ʃən. By letters, as a spelling guide, re-ten-tion.
Other Words With Three Syllables
Words With The Same Structure, CV/CVC/CVC
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