How Many Syllables In Liable?
3syllables
Liable has 3 syllables, li-a-ble. It is a trisyllabic word.
liable
/ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ UK /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ US
Liable can also be said with 2 syllables (UK /ˈlaɪə.bəl/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, li.
Syllable Structure
CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/laɪ.ə.bəl/
Division By Letters
li-a-ble
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Liable
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 | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | b | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Liable Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ | /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈlaɪə.bəl/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in liable?
Liable has 3 syllables, li-a-ble. In British English it is transcribed /ˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in liable?
The first syllable, li, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of liable?
Liable has the structure CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide liable into syllables?
By sound, laɪ.ə.bəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, li-a-ble.