How Many Syllables In Inimical?
4syllables
Inimical has 4 syllables, i-nim-i-cal. It is a polysyllabic word.
inimical
/ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.kəl/ UK /ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.kəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, nim.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪ.nɪm.ɪ.kəl/
Division By Letters
i-nim-i-cal
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Inimical
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 | n | ɪ | m | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 4 | k | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Inimical Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in inimical?
Inimical has 4 syllables, i-nim-i-cal. In British English it is transcribed /ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.kəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in inimical?
The second syllable, nim, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of inimical?
Inimical has the structure V/CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide inimical into syllables?
By sound, ɪ.nɪm.ɪ.kəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, i-nim-i-cal.