How Many Syllables In Sensational?
4syllables
Sensational has 4 syllables, sen-sa-tion-al. It is a polysyllabic word.
sensational
/senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/ UK /senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, sa.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/sen.seɪ.ʃən.əl/
Division By Letters
sen-sa-tion-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Sensational
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | s | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | s | eɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | ʃ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Sensational Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ʃ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /n/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in sensational?
Sensational has 4 syllables, sen-sa-tion-al. In British English it is transcribed /senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in sensational?
The second syllable, sa, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of sensational?
Sensational has the structure CVC/CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide sensational into syllables?
By sound, sen.seɪ.ʃən.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, sen-sa-tion-al.
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