How Many Syllables In Elderly?
3syllables
Elderly has 3 syllables, el-der-ly. It is a trisyllabic word.
elderly
/ˈel.də.li/ UK /ˈel.dɚ.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, el.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/el.də.li/
Division By Letters
el-der-ly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Elderly
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | – | e | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | d | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | l | i | – | CV | open |
Why Elderly Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in elderly?
Elderly has 3 syllables, el-der-ly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈel.də.li/.
Which syllable is stressed in elderly?
The first syllable, el, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of elderly?
Elderly has the structure VC/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide elderly into syllables?
By sound, el.də.li. By letters, as a spelling guide, el-der-ly.