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