How Many Syllables In Headquarters?
3syllables
Headquarters has 3 syllables, head-quar-ters. It is a trisyllabic word.
headquarters
/ˈhed.kwɔː.təz/ UK /ˈhed.kwɔːr.t̬ɚz/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, head.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CCV/CVC
Division By Sound
/hed.kwɔː.təz/
Division By Letters
head-quar-ters
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Headquarters
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 | e | d | CVC | closed |
| 2 | kw | ɔː | – | CCV | open |
| 3 | t | ə | z | CVC | closed |
Why Headquarters Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /d/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in headquarters?
Headquarters has 3 syllables, head-quar-ters. In British English it is transcribed /ˈhed.kwɔː.təz/.
Which syllable is stressed in headquarters?
The first syllable, head, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of headquarters?
Headquarters has the structure CVC/CCV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide headquarters into syllables?
By sound, hed.kwɔː.təz. By letters, as a spelling guide, head-quar-ters.