How Many Syllables In Literally?
4syllables
Literally has 4 syllables, lit-er-a-lly. It is a polysyllabic word.
literally
/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.li/ UK /ˈlɪt.ɚ.ə.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, lit.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/lɪt.ər.ə.li/
Division By Letters
lit-er-a-lly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Literally
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 | ɪ | t | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | r | VC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | l | i | – | CV | open |
Why Literally Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Syllable 2 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in literally?
Literally has 4 syllables, lit-er-a-lly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈlɪt.ər.ə.li/.
Which syllable is stressed in literally?
The first syllable, lit, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of literally?
Literally has the structure CVC/VC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide literally into syllables?
By sound, lɪt.ər.ə.li. By letters, as a spelling guide, lit-er-a-lly.
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