How Many Syllables In Secretive?
3syllables
Secretive has 3 syllables, se-cre-tive. It is a trisyllabic word.
secretive
/ˈsiː.krə.tɪv/ UK /ˈsiː.krə.t̬ɪv/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, se.
Syllable Structure
CV/CCV/CVC
Division By Sound
/siː.krə.tɪv/
Division By Letters
se-cre-tive
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Secretive
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 | s | iː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | kr | ə | – | CCV | open |
| 3 | t | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
Why Secretive Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /kr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in secretive?
Secretive has 3 syllables, se-cre-tive. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsiː.krə.tɪv/.
Which syllable is stressed in secretive?
The first syllable, se, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of secretive?
Secretive has the structure CV/CCV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide secretive into syllables?
By sound, siː.krə.tɪv. By letters, as a spelling guide, se-cre-tive.