How Many Syllables In Ability?
4syllables
Ability has 4 syllables, a-bil-i-ty. It is a polysyllabic word.
ability
/əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ UK /əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, bil.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/ə.bɪl.ə.ti/
Division By Letters
a-bil-i-ty
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Ability
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | b | ɪ | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | t | i | – | CV | open |
Why Ability Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in ability?
Ability has 4 syllables, a-bil-i-ty. In British English it is transcribed /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/.
Which syllable is stressed in ability?
The second syllable, bil, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of ability?
Ability has the structure V/CVC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide ability into syllables?
By sound, ə.bɪl.ə.ti. By letters, as a spelling guide, a-bil-i-ty.