How Many Syllables In Incumbent?
3syllables
Incumbent has 3 syllables, in-cum-bent. It is a trisyllabic word.
incumbent
/ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ UK /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, cum.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.kʌm.bənt/
Division By Letters
in-cum-bent
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Incumbent
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 | ʌ | m | CVC | closed |
| 3 | b | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Incumbent 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 /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in incumbent?
Incumbent has 3 syllables, in-cum-bent. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in incumbent?
The second syllable, cum, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of incumbent?
Incumbent has the structure VC/CVC/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide incumbent into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.kʌm.bənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-cum-bent.