How Many Syllables In Mortality?
4syllables
Mortality has 4 syllables, mor-tal-i-ty. It is a polysyllabic word.
mortality
/mɔːˈtæl.ə.ti/ UK /mɔːrˈtæl.ə.t̬i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, tal.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/mɔː.tæl.ə.ti/
Division By Letters
mor-tal-i-ty
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Mortality
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | m | ɔː | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | æ | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | t | i | – | CV | open |
Why Mortality 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 /æ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in mortality?
Mortality has 4 syllables, mor-tal-i-ty. In British English it is transcribed /mɔːˈtæl.ə.ti/.
Which syllable is stressed in mortality?
The second syllable, tal, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of mortality?
Mortality has the structure CV/CVC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide mortality into syllables?
By sound, mɔː.tæl.ə.ti. By letters, as a spelling guide, mor-tal-i-ty.