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