English 3

1. Count the syllables

2. Counting syllables
What is a Syllable?
A syllable is a single unit of sound.
Syllables are sometimes referred to as the ‘beats’ of a
word.
Syllables differ from phonemes, which are the smallest
possible unit of sound.
For instance, although the word 'night' is only one syllable,
it contains three distinct phonemes: /n/, /igh/ and /t/. So
be careful not to count the phonemes you can see…but
instead the ‘beats’ you can hear.

3. Counting syllables
Examples of Syllables
Below are some examples of words with different numbers
of syllables:
One syllable – tie, moon, shoe, hat, bell….
‘Rescue’ has two syllables - Res + cue
‘Alphabet’ has three syllables - Al + pha + bet
‘Activity’ has four syllables - Ac + ti + vi + ty
‘Electricity’ has five syllables - E + lec + tri + ci + ty

4. Counting syllables
Clapping is a great way to count syllables.
Say the word you want to count syllables for and clap each
time you hear a separate sound. The number of claps is the
number of syllables.
Have a go at clapping the syllables in your name. Try the
words below.
happy yesterday computer
count

5. Count the syllables
Umbrella
3 syllables
Um brel la

6. Count the syllables
Pretty
2 syllables
Pre tty

7. Count the syllables
Computer
3 syllables
Com pu ter

8. Count the syllables
Saturday.
3 syllables
Sa tur day

9. Count the syllables
Swimming pool
3 syllables
Swim ming pool

10. Count the syllables
I like to eat cheese.
5 syllables
I like to eat cheese

11. Count the syllables
I come from Turkey.
5 syllables
I come from Tur key

12. Count the syllables
I want to go on holiday.
8 syllables
I want to go on ho li
day