How Many Syllables In Illinois?
3syllables
Illinois has 3 syllables, ill-i-nois. It is a trisyllabic word.
illinois
/ˌɪl.ɪˈnɔɪ/ UK /ˌɪl.əˈnɔɪ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, nois.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/ɪl.ɪ.nɔɪ/
Division By Letters
ill-i-nois
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illinois
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ɪ | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | n | ɔɪ | – | CV | open |
Why Illinois Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in Illinois?
Illinois has 3 syllables, ill-i-nois. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɪl.ɪˈnɔɪ/.
Which syllable is stressed in Illinois?
The third syllable, nois, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of Illinois?
Illinois has the structure VC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide Illinois into syllables?
By sound, ɪl.ɪ.nɔɪ. By letters, as a spelling guide, ill-i-nois.