How Many Syllables In Harmlessly?
3syllables
Harmlessly has 3 syllables, harm-le-ssly. It is a trisyllabic word.
harmlessly
/ˈhɑːm.ləs.li/ UK /ˈhɑːrm.ləs.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, harm.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC/CV
Division By Sound
/hɑːm.ləs.li/
Division By Letters
harm-le-ssly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Harmlessly
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 | h | ɑː | m | CVC | closed |
| 2 | l | ə | s | CVC | closed |
| 3 | l | i | – | CV | open |
Why Harmlessly Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in harmlessly?
Harmlessly has 3 syllables, harm-le-ssly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈhɑːm.ləs.li/.
Which syllable is stressed in harmlessly?
The first syllable, harm, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of harmlessly?
Harmlessly has the structure CVC/CVC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide harmlessly into syllables?
By sound, hɑːm.ləs.li. By letters, as a spelling guide, harm-le-ssly.