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