How Many Syllables In Skeptical?
3syllables
Skeptical has 3 syllables, skep-ti-cal. It is a trisyllabic word.
skeptical
/ˈskep.tɪ.kəl/ UK /ˈskep.tɪ.kəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, skep.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/skep.tɪ.kəl/
Division By Letters
skep-ti-cal
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Skeptical
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 | sk | e | p | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | t | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | k | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Skeptical Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in skeptical?
Skeptical has 3 syllables, skep-ti-cal. In British English it is transcribed /ˈskep.tɪ.kəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in skeptical?
The first syllable, skep, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of skeptical?
Skeptical has the structure CCVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide skeptical into syllables?
By sound, skep.tɪ.kəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, skep-ti-cal.