How Many Syllables In Sexually?
4syllables
Sexually has 4 syllables, sex-u-a-lly. It is a polysyllabic word.
sexually
/ˈsek.ʃu.əl.i/ UK /ˈsek.ʃu.ə.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sex.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/VC/V
Division By Sound
/sek.ʃu.əl.i/
Division By Letters
sex-u-a-lly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Sexually
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 | k | CVC | closed |
| 2 | ʃ | u | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Sexually Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
- Syllable 3 ends in /l/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in sexually?
Sexually has 4 syllables, sex-u-a-lly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsek.ʃu.əl.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in sexually?
The first syllable, sex, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of sexually?
Sexually has the structure CVC/CV/VC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide sexually into syllables?
By sound, sek.ʃu.əl.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, sex-u-a-lly.