Syllables

A syllable is a beat in a word. Each syllable has one vowel sound. ⟦cat⟧ has one syllable, ⟦rab-bit⟧ has two and ⟦el-e-phant⟧ has three. Clapping or tapping the beats helps you count them, and splitting a long word into syllables makes it easier to read and spell.

Key facts

  • Clap as you say the word slowly: one clap for each beat. ⟦but-ter-fly⟧: three claps, three syllables.
  • Every syllable has a vowel sound: ⟦com-pu-ter⟧ (⟦o⟧, ⟦u⟧, ⟦e⟧).
  • Split between double consonants: ⟦rab-bit⟧, ⟦but-ton⟧, ⟦hap-py⟧.
  • Split a compound word between its two words: ⟦sun-shine⟧, ⟦foot-ball⟧.
  • To spell a long word, say it one syllable at a time and write each part: ⟦hos-pi-tal⟧ → ⟦hospital⟧.

Worked examples

Example 1

How many syllables are there in ⟦banana⟧?

  1. Say it slowly: ⟦ba - na - na⟧.
  2. Three claps, so three syllables.

Answer: 3

Example 2

Split ⟦kitten⟧ into syllables.

  1. The word has a double ⟦t⟧.
  2. Split between the two ⟦t⟧s: ⟦kit-ten⟧.

Answer: ⟦kit-ten⟧

Example 3

Put the syllables together: ⟦cal + cu + la + tor⟧

  1. Read ⟦cal⟧, ⟦cu⟧, ⟦la⟧, ⟦tor⟧.
  2. Say them quickly together: ⟦calculator⟧ (four syllables).

Answer: ⟦calculator⟧