How Many Syllables In Father-in-law?
4syllables
Father-in-law has 4 syllables, fa-ther-in-law. It is a polysyllabic word.
fatherinlaw
/ˈfɑː.ðə.ɪn.lɔː/ UK /ˈfɑː.ðɚ.ɪn.lɔː/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, fa.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/VC/CV
Division By Sound
/fɑː.ðə.ɪn.lɔː/
Division By Letters
fa-ther-in-law
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Father-in-law
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 | f | ɑː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | ð | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ɪ | n | VC | closed |
| 4 | l | ɔː | – | CV | open |
Why Father-in-law Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /ð/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in father-in-law?
Father-in-law has 4 syllables, fa-ther-in-law. In British English it is transcribed /ˈfɑː.ðə.ɪn.lɔː/.
Which syllable is stressed in father-in-law?
The first syllable, fa, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of father-in-law?
Father-in-law has the structure CV/CV/VC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide father-in-law into syllables?
By sound, fɑː.ðə.ɪn.lɔː. By letters, as a spelling guide, fa-ther-in-law.