The word painstaking is divided into 2 syllables: painstak·ing. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of painstaking:
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From pains + taking; see take pains. The /ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ/ pronunciation which dominates in the United States suggests a reanalysis of the word as pain + staking. (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)
Understanding how to break down painstaking into syllables helps with:
Explore syllable divisions of words related to painstaking:
painstaking has 2 syllables: painstak·ing. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: painstak. This means you emphasize the "painstak" part when pronouncing painstaking.
painstaking is pronounced as /ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: painstak·ing.
Breaking painstaking into syllables helps with spelling: painstak·ing. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.
Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.