How Many Syllables In Incompetence?
4syllables
Incompetence has 4 syllables, in-com-pe-tence. It is a polysyllabic word.
incompetence
/ɪnˈkɒm.pə.təns/ UK /ɪnˈkɑːm.pə.t̬əns/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, com.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/CV/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.kɒm.pə.təns/
Division By Letters
in-com-pe-tence
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Incompetence
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | k | ɒ | m | CVC | closed |
| 3 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 4 | t | ə | ns | CVCC | closed |
Why Incompetence Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in incompetence?
Incompetence has 4 syllables, in-com-pe-tence. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈkɒm.pə.təns/.
Which syllable is stressed in incompetence?
The second syllable, com, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of incompetence?
Incompetence has the structure VC/CVC/CV/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide incompetence into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.kɒm.pə.təns. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-com-pe-tence.
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