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What is a syllable?

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A syllable is a beat of sound in a word.

The beat can sometimes be part of a word, or the whole word.

For example, the word 'window' has two beats ('win' 鈥 'dow') but the word 'door' had just one ('door').

Breaking words down into their syllables can be really helpful when you are learning spellings.

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Watch: Syllables

Watch this short video to hear some examples of syllables and learn how to count them.

Discover what a syllable is and hear some examples.

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Pronouncing new words

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Decoding is a method of breaking down words into sounds that you recognise.

For example, the word 'detective' could be broken down to the sounds.

de - tec - tive

Separating words into bits, known as syllables, can help you to pronounce words you haven鈥檛 seen before.

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Watch: Decoding

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Quiz

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Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers. game

Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission!

Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers
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