Page 14 - Basic English Grammar Student Textbook short

4. Divide words with prefixes after the prefix. (post-graduate, not post-gradu-ate)

Pronunciation Determines the Number of Syllables
Examples: rugged; rugg * ed shrugged; no syllable break (1 syllable)
Example: rhythm two syllables due to two vowel sounds; rith + em
Example: learned I learned much today. He is a learned man.
1 syllable 2 syllables

Syllable Division Rules (for reference only)

1. Separate prefixes and suffixes from root words.

• examples: pre-view, work-ing, re-do, end-less, and out-ing

2. If two consonants are next to each other, divide between the first and second consonants.
• examples: buf-fet, des-sert, ob-ject, ber-ry, and pil-grim

3. BUT…Never divide two consonants that make only one sound when pronounced together and aren't the same
letter (i.e., 'ff').

• examples: th, sh, ph, th, ch, and wh
4. If a consonant is surrounded by vowels and the first one makes a long sound, divide before the consonant.

• examples: ba-by, re-sult, i-vy, fro-zen,

5. If a consonant is surrounded by vowels and the first one makes a short sound, divide after the consonant.

• examples: met-al, riv-er, mod-el, val-ue, and rav-age

6. If the word ends with ckle, divide before the le.'

• examples: tack-le, freck-le, tick-le, and buck-le

7. If the word ends with le (not ckle) and the letter before the le is a consonant, divide one letter before the le.
• examples: ap-ple, rum-ble, fa-ble, and ta-ble

• examples of le that is preceded by a vowel: ale, scale, sale, file, and tile

More Examples of Dividing Syllables (for reference only)

little: lit - tle
petal: pet - al
turtle: tur - tle
ankle: an - kle
riddle: rid - dle
arrow: ar - row
nickel: nick - el
cotton: cot - ton
student: stu - dent
teacher: teach - er

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