How Many Syllables In Illegal?
3syllables
Illegal has 3 syllables, i-lle-gal. It is a trisyllabic word.
illegal
/ɪˈliː.ɡəl/ UK /ɪˈliː.ɡəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, lle.
Syllable Structure
V/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪ.liː.ɡəl/
Division By Letters
i-lle-gal
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illegal
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | iː | – | CV | open |
| 3 | ɡ | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Illegal Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ɡ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in illegal?
Illegal has 3 syllables, i-lle-gal. In British English it is transcribed /ɪˈliː.ɡəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in illegal?
The second syllable, lle, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of illegal?
Illegal has the structure V/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide illegal into syllables?
By sound, ɪ.liː.ɡəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, i-lle-gal.