How Many Syllables In History?
3syllables
History has 3 syllables, his-to-ry. It is a trisyllabic word.
history
/ˈhɪs.tə.ri/ UK /ˈhɪs.tɚ.i/ US
History can also be said with 2 syllables (UK /ˈhɪs.tri/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, his.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/hɪs.tə.ri/
Division By Letters
his-to-ry
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of History
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 | ɪ | s | CVC | closed |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | r | i | – | CV | open |
Why History Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈhɪs.tə.ri/ | /ˈhɪs.tɚ.i/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈhɪs.tri/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in history?
History has 3 syllables, his-to-ry. In British English it is transcribed /ˈhɪs.tə.ri/.
Which syllable is stressed in history?
The first syllable, his, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of history?
History has the structure CVC/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide history into syllables?
By sound, hɪs.tə.ri. By letters, as a spelling guide, his-to-ry.