How Many Syllables In Suffocate?
3syllables
Suffocate has 3 syllables, suff-o-cate. It is a trisyllabic word.
suffocate
/ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/ UK /ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, suff.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/sʌf.ə.keɪt/
Division By Letters
suff-o-cate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Suffocate
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 | ʌ | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | k | eɪ | t | CVC | closed |
Why Suffocate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in suffocate?
Suffocate has 3 syllables, suff-o-cate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsʌf.ə.keɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in suffocate?
The first syllable, suff, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of suffocate?
Suffocate has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide suffocate into syllables?
By sound, sʌf.ə.keɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, suff-o-cate.