What is Syllable in English? | Defination | Examples

Syllable in English : Learning language is not an easy tasks. English is a very popular language in the world. If you want learn this language you have to know the grammar. Syllable is an important part of English grammar. In this article we have provided very informative information for you. If you read this article you will get a great knowledge about syllable.

Table of Contents

  • What is Syllable?
  • Why are Syllables Important
  • 10 Example of Syllables
  • Type of Syllables

What is Syllable? | Definition

In English grammar, a syllable is a single unbroken sound unit of a word. Every word in English is made up of one or more syllables. Here are examples.

  • Cat has 1 syllable
  • Apple has 2 syllables – “Ap” and “ple”
  • Banana has 3 syllables – “Ba”, “na” and “na”

Why Are Syllables Important?

Syllable is the unbroken part of a word. This is important for English grammar. Learning syllables helps in:

  • Improving pronunciation
  • Breaking down words for spelling
  • Mastering rhythm in speech
  • Writing poetry
  • Understanding word stress in English

Types of Syllables in English

There are six types of syllables in English.

  1. Closed Syllable – It ends with a consonant and vowel is usually short.

Example: cat, bed, hot

  1. Open Syllable – It ends with a vowel and vowel is long.

Example: go, me, she

  1. Magic ‘e’ or Silent ‘e’ Syllable – Final “e” is silent, and vowel is long.

Example: cake, bike, hope

  1. Vowel Team Syllable – Two vowels together making one sound.

Example: team, boat, rain

  1. R-Controlled Syllable – Vowel followed by ‘r’, changing its sound.

Example: car, bird, fur

  1. Consonant-le Syllable – Ends in a consonant + “le”. Found at the end of words

Example: table, little, puzzle

10 Example of Syllable

Every word in English language contains one, two, three or more syllables. Here are 10 example of syllable.

  • Bat
  • Apple
  • Banana
  • Orange
  • Music
  • Picture
  • Red
  • Table
  • River
  • Responsibility

Syllable and Word Structure

Depending on number of syllables present in the words, syllables are divided in four categories. They are –

  • Monosyllabic Words
  • Disyllabic Words
  • Trisyllabic Words
  • Polysyllabic Words

Monosyllabic Words : The words which contains only one syllable called Monosyllabic.

Examples –

  • Bat
  • Cat

Disyllabic Words : The words which contains two syllables are called Disyllabic Words.

Examples –

  • Music
    “Music” is a disyllabic word. It consists of two syllables. The syllables of the word “Music” are “Mu” and “sic”.

Trisyllabic Words : The words which contains three syllables called Trisyllabic Words.

Examples –

  • Adventure
  • Banana

  • “Adventure” is a trisyllabic word. It consists of three syllables. The syllables of the word “Adventure” are “Ad”, “ven” and “ture”.
  • “Banana” is a trisyllabic word. It consists of three syllables. The syllables of the word “Banana” are “Ba”, “ba” and “na”.

Polysyllabic Words : The words which contains four or more syllables called Polysyllabic.

Examples –

  • Education
  • Information

  • “Education” is a polysyllabic word. It consists of four syllables. The syllables of the word “Education” are “E”, “du”, “ca” and “tion”.
  • “Inforation” is a polysyllabic word. It consists of four syllables. The syllables of the word “Inforation” are “In”, “for”, “ma” and “tion”.

Common Syllable Rules

  • Every syllable has at least one vowel sound
  • A silent vowel doesn’t form a syllable (e.g., the ‘e’ in make)
  • Prefixes and suffixes can be their own syllables
  • In compound words, each word typically has its own syllable (e.g., sunset = sun + set)

FAQ


Q. How many syllables in “Water”

A. “Water” (Wa-ter) has two syllables. It is disyllabic word. The syllables of the word “water” are “wa” and “ter”.