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Number of syllable


What Is a Syllable? | How to Count Syllables Properly

In today’s lesson, I’m going to answer the question, what is a syllable? And more importantly, I’ll also teach you how to count the syllables inside words.

The topic of counting syllables gets introduced to people in primary school, but it is often poorly taught. Consequently, many people can’t count the number of syllables inside a word properly. To clear up the confusion around counting syllables, I made this lesson! Watch the video version below:

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What Is a Syllable?

We will begin with a basic definition of the syllable:

A syllable is a section of a word. The number of syllables equals the number of sections that the word can be split into.

The number of syllables in a word corresponds to the number of sections that ‘stand out’ inside that word. The sounds that stand out are the vowels and syllabic consonants l, m, n. When a vowel sound stands out inside a word (is prominent), it has a kind of magnetic attraction, which is capable of drawing consonants to it.

Vowels can attract consonants to form syllables.

Importantly, we are not going to the smallest possible level of detail and counting every individual sound/phoneme in a word. To count the number of syllables in a word, we must count at the level above that. For example, consider the word ‘problems’…

At the smallest level of sound, the word ‘problems’ /ˈprɒb. ləmz /contains 8 individual sounds/phonemes. p-r-ɒ-b-l-e-m-z

If we then zoom out a little, the word ‘problems’/ˈprɒb.ləmz /consists of two syllables: PROB-LEMS. 

Finally, if we zoom out further, we can say that the word ‘problems’ /ˈprɒb.ləmz / is a single word.

IMPORTANT: you were probably taught at school that the number of syllables inside a word corresponds to the number of vowels that it contains. However, this is an oversimplification which can lead to mistakes when counting syllables. This is because the syllabic consonants l, m, and n are powerful enough to form syllables that don’t require a vowel. Examples of words containing syllabic consonants are:

little → /ˈlɪtl̩/ (2 syllable word)

mmm → /m̩ː/ (1 syllable interjection with no vowel sound)

button → /ˈbʌtn̩/ (2 syllable word)

Notice that in the example words above, the mark under the l̩, m̩, and n̩ symbols is there to denote a syllabic consonant. If you have never seen these strange phonetic symbols before, don’t be overwhelmed by them! Most dictionaries don’t think that it is necessary to go into this level of detail when transcribing words.

Why Knowing About Syllables Is Important for Your English

Learning how to properly count the number of syllables inside a word benefits your English in a number of ways:

  • PRONUNCIATION BENEFITS: Understanding syllables makes your English sound much more natural because it improves your sense of English rhythm. For upper-intermediate and advanced students – you can’t apply word stress properly unless you have a good understanding of syllables.
  • READING BENEFITS: Correctly segmenting words into syllables makes you a faster reader who can tackle extremely long words such as ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’ (12 syllables!).
  • SPELLING BENEFITS: Breaking up words into chunks/syllables makes you a far better speller.
  • ARTISTIC BENEFITS: Knowing about syllables will make you a much better poet!

Why Counting Syllables Is Difficult for Some Students

Counting the number of syllables inside a word is difficult for some students of English. There are a few main reasons for this.

Firstly, the length of English syllables is uneven. Some are short and some are long. This could be different to how syllables operate in your native language. Take for example the words ‘a’ and ‘strengths’. Remarkably, both words are one-syllable words!

A second reason is that the widely taught clapping technique for counting syllables doesn’t always work.

A third reason that some students struggle with the topic is because they have invented their own pronunciation of English words! This happens a lot to students who mostly taught themselves English by reading books and following along with subtitles. This leads them to pronounce words according to the number of vowels that are present in the spelling of a word, which in many cases doesn’t correspond to the pronunciation. A common example of this is found in the one-syllable word ‘called’ /kɔːld/, which many students incorrectly pronounce as ‘CALL-ED’ (two syllables).

And lastly, students with audio processing difficulties find it more difficult than most to break words up into syllables. This is because they ‘hear’ sounds differently, which makes the boundaries between syllables seem blurry or unclear. For help with this issue, see my English Jade course.

How to Count Syllables

The best way to learn how to count the number of syllables in a word is to follow along with a demonstration. Watch the video at the top of the page, skipping to 5.10 min to practise counting syllables with me.

Let’s talk now about the solution… How do we make counting the number of syllables in words easy? Here are some factors we must consider: 

  1. Sound exploration: The first step is exploring the sounds inside words; this requires practice.
  2. Syllable breaks: We have to learn to recognise where syllables break. Some rules and patterns can help us with this, but there will still be some ‘grey areas’. At times it is unclear where a syllable break occurs.
  3. Open syllables VS closed syllables: We also have to know the difference between two types of syllables, as explained below.

Open Syllables

An open syllable describes a syllable in a word that is not followed by a consonant sound. This type of consonant is easy to identify at the end of a word, but can also occur in other positions. For example, the word ‘see’ /siː/ contains a vowel that is not followed by a consonant. This makes it an open syllable word. Now consider the word ‘seed’ /siːd/, which is a closed syllable word because it ends with a final /d/ consonant. The words ‘see’ and ‘seed’ are both one-syllable words.

It’s easy to count the number of syllables in words that consist of open syllables. Even the unreliable clapping technique to count syllables works for words like this.

Open Syllable Examples (1 Syllable in Length) ➔ see, by, there

Open Syllable Examples (2 Syllables in Length) ➔ before, later, coma

Closed Syllables

Words that contain closed syllables are more difficult for us to count. A closed syllable refers to a vowel that is followed by one or more consonants. Take for example the closed syllable word ‘his’ /hɪz/. We have the consonant /h/ before the vowel and a /z/ after it. The vowel /ɪ/ is in the middle of the syllable, making three sounds in a kind of sandwich.

Closed Syllable Examples (1 syllable in length):

  • bag /bæg/
  • need /niːd/
  • make /meɪk/
  • part /pɑːt/
  • could /kʊd/
  • search /sɜːʧ/ *Notice how there are 6 letters in the spelling, but it’s still only one syllable.
  • earth /ɜːθ/

Tip: When counting syllables, say each word as naturally as you can. If your pronunciation is too slow and perfect, it can confuse your brain! 

Jade Joddle

Closed Syllable Examples (2 Syllables in Length) ➔ sentence, children, mountain.

The place where the syllables break is shown here with a dash ➔ sen-tence chil-dren moun-tain

The three words above have a common pattern. Notice that the syllables break where two consonants meet. Also, pay special attention to the word ‘mountain’ because this word shows us that a single vowel sound can be spelt with more than one letter.

Finally, we will look at two words in closer detail…

FRIENDS /frendz/ – Think of the vowel in the word as a magnet to which consonants can be attracted. In the case of ‘friends’, we have two consonants before the vowel and three after it, which creates a complex syllable. It is common to simplify the pronunciation of this word by dropping the /d/ ➔ /frenz/.

STRENGTHS /streŋkθs/ – This special word provides an example of the most complex syllable that can be created in English! It has three consonants before the vowel, and four after the vowel. This is a very difficult word to pronounce, even for most native speakers. If you want to cheat with the pronunciation, you can say /strenθs/ instead (non-standard pronunciation).

Thank you for learning to count syllables with me!

Extend Your Learning

▶︎ Learn more about English rhythm by practising the schwa sound.

▶︎ Advanced students are advised to watch my lesson on the confusing topic of syllable breaks…

Syllable Rules: How to count syllables

How Many Syllables

  • Syllable
    Dictionary
  • Grammar
  • Syllable
    Rules
  • Workshop
  • Workshop
  • Teacher
    Resources

Syllable Rules   >>   Counting Syllables    Examples

First, do you know what a syllable is?  Learn Here

  1. The "Listen Method" Rules
    1. Say the word.
    2. How many times do you hear A, E, I, O, or U as a separate sound?
    3. This is the number of syllables.
  2. The "Chin Method" Rules
    1. Put your hand under your chin.
    2. Say the word.
    3. How many times does your chin touch your hand?
    4. This is the number of syllables.
  3. The "Clap Method" Rules
    1. Clapping may help you find syllables.
    2. Say the word.
    3. Clap each time you hear A, E, I, O, or U as a separate sound.
    4. The number of claps is the number of syllables.
  4. The "Robot Speak Method" Rules
    1. Make believe you are a robot from the year 2000.
    2. Say a word as this robot.
    3. Pay attention to the pauses you make.
    4. How many parts did you break your word into?
      5. Example:
  • robot = "ro"  *pause*  "bot"... 2 syllables
  • Listen:  
  • This is the number of syllables.
  • The "Written Method" Rules
    1. Count the number of vowels (A, E, I, O, U) in the word.
    • Add 1 every time the letter 'y' makes the sound of a vowel (A, E, I, O, U).
    • Subtract 1 for each silent vowel (like the silent 'e' at the end of a word).
  • Subtract 1 for each diphthong or triphthong in the word.
    • Diphthong: when 2 vowels make only 1 sound (au, oy, oo)
    • Triphthong: when 3 vowels make only 1 sound (iou)
  • Does the word end with "le" or "les?" Add 1 only if the letter before the "le" is a consonant.
  • The number you get is the number of syllables in your word.

    • Cite This SourceDownload as PDF

    Next:  How to divide into syllables.

    Fun Fact

    Lollipop is typed using only
    the right hand.

    !Get more facts

    Syllable Rules   >>   Counting Syllables    Examples

    Examples

    Take

    • 1 syllable: take
    • pronounced: tay-k
    • Listen:

    Bee

    • 1 syllable: bee
    • pronounced: bee
    • Listen:

    Taking

    • 2 syllables: tak-ing
    • pronounced: tay-king
    • Listen:

    Redo

    • 2 syllables: re-do
    • pronounced: ree-doo
    • Listen:

    Dusted

    • 2 syllables: dust-ed
    • pronounced: dus-ted
    • Listen:

    Worrying

    • 3 syllables: wor-ry-ing
    • pronounced: wah-ree-ing
    • Listen:

    Next:  How to divide into syllables.

    Bibliography Citations

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    Dividing words into syllables online

    The site slogi.su is the most convenient and fastest service for dividing any Russian words into syllables. The service can highlight syllables both in individual words and in the text. We do not have a ready-made dictionary of words with pre-selected syllables, we determine syllables in words automatically. This means that you can enter the word of the Russian language in any number, gender, case and any other form of declension of the word. In addition to the analysis, we give information on each selected syllable in a word - the type of syllable, the division rule. The division into syllables on the site is carried out taking into account the modern rules of the Russian language of the school curriculum (traditional school) and the program with in-depth study. If there is a difference in the syllables of the two programs, explanations are given on the word page.

    Syllables in a word Syllables in a text What is a syllable? Rules for highlighting words Examples of words

    Select syllables in a word

    To get the syllables in a word, enter the word below. The division is carried out according to the rules of the school curriculum and in-depth study of the Russian language. You can enter only one word and only in Russian letters. Foreign letters, numbers, spaces and other characters are not allowed.

    Select syllables in the text

    If you need to syllable all words in the text, use the form below. With the help of the form, it is convenient to bring the text of the song to the karaoke format, prepare a children's story for reading by syllables, break words into syllables for foreigners and for other useful needs.

    Syllable

    A syllable is the smallest unit of speech spoken. Syllables are formed only by vowels, so the number of syllables is equal to the number of vowels in a word. Consonants "adjoin" one or another vowel in accordance with the rules of division into syllables that have developed in the course of the development of the Russian language. The syllable rules describe the correct way to parse words into syllables.

    Syllables are: open and closed, covered and uncovered. An open syllable ends in a vowel, a closed syllable ends in a consonant. A covered syllable begins with a consonant, an uncovered syllable begins with a vowel.

    Rules for syllable emphasis

    General approaches to syllable emphasis in words for traditional and advanced learning are described below. For detailed materials with explanations and examples, see the rules for dividing words into syllables.

    Traditional school

    The main rule of the regular school curriculum, which the child is guided by: how many vowels, so many syllables. When transferring words, they are guided by the rules: we transfer the word by syllables, you cannot leave one letter on the line. These rules are known to all.

    When dividing a word into syllables, you can use the method of pushes: put your palm to your mouth and feel the pushes of air while pronouncing the word. Or we imagine a candle in front of us: how many times the flame sways, so many syllables. For some words with a flow of consonants, this option is not always suitable.

    Different elementary schools have different principles for teaching syllable division. In some schools, they are taught to visually divide a word into parts - bundles of vowel + consonant (or vowel + several consonants). In other schools, they teach you to pronounce the word with pauses in a convenient way. Pauses also create places of division of syllables.

    School of in-depth study

    In schools of in-depth study of the Russian language and in the programs of institutes, cases are analyzed when words are transferred not by syllables, that is, the transfer syllable does not coincide with the phonetic syllable.

    The division of a word into syllables occurs in such a way that the syllable is pronounced in ascending order: from a voiceless pronunciation to a voiced one. Therefore, syllables of several sounds always begin with a voiceless consonant and end with a vowel. For example: mail (but not mail), mo-shka (but not mosh-ka). A syllable may end in a voiced consonant (sonorant p, l, m, n), which sounds less voiced than a vowel, but louder than a voiceless consonant. For example: bul-ka, var-ka.

    Examples of words

    We select examples of words broken down into syllables according to various criteria that are most in demand among site visitors. Collections will help you quickly find the right words, rather than inventing and remembering them. Popular lists are words of 2-5 syllables and words with given syllables. Thanks to the collections, you can find examples of words by mask, which is useful when preparing homework, solving crossword puzzles, compiling wall newspapers and other educational and entertaining tasks.

    By syllables

    Words with
    1 syllable2 syllables3 syllables4 syllables5 syllables6 syllables7 syllables8 syllables9 syllables

    With syllables

    Words with syllables:
    do--doses--zhi--zik--cas--kos--kra--mer--they say--mor--nnost--great--pre--with--ren--ska--sli- -sol--tel--fi--cha--chik--chu--shi--scha--schik--schu-

    Popular words

    Most searched words: Russian → 17918, Russia → 17075, Moscow → 16410, apple → 15804, leaves → 15150, hedgehog → 14844, bear → 13439, monkey → 13139, alley → 13027, notebook → 12971, berry → 12476, anchor → 12305, harvest → 12234, student → 11854, snake → 10857.

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