How Many Syllables In Legally?
3syllables
Legally has 3 syllables, le-ga-lly. It is a trisyllabic word.
legally
/ˈliː.ɡəl.i/ UK /ˈliː.ɡə.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, le.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/liː.ɡəl.i/
Division By Letters
le-ga-lly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Legally
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | l | iː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | ɡ | ə | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Legally Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /ɡ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 ends in /l/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in legally?
Legally has 3 syllables, le-ga-lly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈliː.ɡəl.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in legally?
The first syllable, le, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of legally?
Legally has the structure CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide legally into syllables?
By sound, liː.ɡəl.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, le-ga-lly.