How Many Syllables In Lieutenant?
3syllables
Lieutenant has 3 syllables, lieu-ten-ant. It is a trisyllabic word.
lieutenant
/lefˈten.ənt/ UK /luːˈten.ənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ten.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC/VCC
Division By Sound
/lef.ten.ənt/
Division By Letters
lieu-ten-ant
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Lieutenant
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | l | e | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | t | e | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | nt | VCC | closed |
Why Lieutenant Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in lieutenant?
Lieutenant has 3 syllables, lieu-ten-ant. In British English it is transcribed /lefˈten.ənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in lieutenant?
The second syllable, ten, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of lieutenant?
Lieutenant has the structure CVC/CVC/VCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide lieutenant into syllables?
By sound, lef.ten.ənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, lieu-ten-ant.