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syllables is, according to this theory, the moment of the weakest
expiration. This theory is inconsistent because it is quite possible

to pronounce several syllables in one articulatory effort or
expiration,e.g. seeing / /. The sonority theory states that there

are as many syllables in a word as there are peaks of prominence
or sonority.

The definition of the syllable from the functional point of
view existing in modern linguistics tends to single out the

following features of the syllable:

1) syllable formation (складоутворення);

2) syllable division/separation (складоподіл).

In English the syllable is formed: 1. by any vowel alone or in

combination with one or more consonants – not more than 3
preceding and not more than 4 following it, e.g. are [a:], we [wi:],

it [it], sixths [siksθs].

2. by a word final sonorants [n], [1], [m] immediately

preceded by a consonant: e.g. rhythm ['rið(e)m], garden
['ga:d(e)n].

The English sonorants [w], [j] are never syllabic as they are
always syllable-initial.

Thus vowels and sonorants are syllable-forming elements and
every word, phrase or sentence has as many syllables as it has

syllabic elements.

According to the placement of vowels and consonants the

following types of syllables are distinguished:

Table 1

Placement of VOWELS Placement of

CONSONANTS

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