How Many Syllables In Elegy?
3syllables
Elegy has 3 syllables, el-e-gy. It is a trisyllabic word.
elegy
/ˈel.ə.dʒi/ UK /ˈel.ə.dʒi/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, el.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/el.ə.dʒi/
Division By Letters
el-e-gy
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Elegy
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 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | dʒ | i | – | CV | open |
Why Elegy Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /dʒ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈel.ə.dʒi/ | /ˈel.ə.dʒi/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈel.ɪ.dʒi/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in elegy?
Elegy has 3 syllables, el-e-gy. In British English it is transcribed /ˈel.ə.dʒi/.
Which syllable is stressed in elegy?
The first syllable, el, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of elegy?
Elegy has the structure VC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide elegy into syllables?
By sound, el.ə.dʒi. By letters, as a spelling guide, el-e-gy.