How Many Syllables In Significant?
4syllables
Significant has 4 syllables, si-gnif-i-cant. It is a polysyllabic word.
significant
/sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/ UK /sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, gnif.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC/V/CVCC
Division By Sound
/sɪɡ.nɪf.ɪ.kənt/
Division By Letters
si-gnif-i-cant
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Significant
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 | ɪ | ɡ | CVC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | n | ɪ | f | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 4 | k | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Significant Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in significant?
Significant has 4 syllables, si-gnif-i-cant. In British English it is transcribed /sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in significant?
The second syllable, gnif, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of significant?
Significant has the structure CVC/CVC/V/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide significant into syllables?
By sound, sɪɡ.nɪf.ɪ.kənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, si-gnif-i-cant.