How Many Syllables In Imaginary?
5syllables
Imaginary has 5 syllables, im-ag-i-nar-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
imaginary
/ɪmˈædʒ.ə.nər.i/ UK /ɪmˈædʒ.ə.ner.i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ag.
Syllable Structure
VC/VC/V/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/ɪm.ædʒ.ə.nər.i/
Division By Letters
im-ag-i-nar-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Imaginary
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 | m | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | – | æ | dʒ | VC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | n | ə | r | CVC | closed |
| 5 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Imaginary Divides Here
- Syllable 1 ends in /m/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /dʒ/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 4 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in imaginary?
Imaginary has 5 syllables, im-ag-i-nar-y. In British English it is transcribed /ɪmˈædʒ.ə.nər.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in imaginary?
The second syllable, ag, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of imaginary?
Imaginary has the structure VC/VC/V/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide imaginary into syllables?
By sound, ɪm.ædʒ.ə.nər.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, im-ag-i-nar-y.
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