How Many Syllables In Sensible?
3syllables
Sensible has 3 syllables, sen-si-ble. It is a trisyllabic word.
sensible
/ˈsen.sə.bəl/ UK /ˈsen.sə.bəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sen.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/sen.sə.bəl/
Division By Letters
sen-si-ble
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Sensible
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 | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 2 | s | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | b | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Sensible Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in sensible?
Sensible has 3 syllables, sen-si-ble. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsen.sə.bəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in sensible?
The first syllable, sen, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of sensible?
Sensible has the structure CVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide sensible into syllables?
By sound, sen.sə.bəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, sen-si-ble.