How Many Syllables In Muscular?
3syllables
Muscular has 3 syllables, mus-cu-lar. It is a trisyllabic word.
muscular
/ˈmʌs.kjʊ.lə/ UK /ˈmʌs.kjə.lɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, mus.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CCV/CV
Division By Sound
/mʌs.kjʊ.lə/
Division By Letters
mus-cu-lar
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Muscular
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 | ʌ | s | CVC | closed |
| 2 | kj | ʊ | – | CCV | open |
| 3 | l | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Muscular Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in muscular?
Muscular has 3 syllables, mus-cu-lar. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmʌs.kjʊ.lə/.
Which syllable is stressed in muscular?
The first syllable, mus, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of muscular?
Muscular has the structure CVC/CCV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide muscular into syllables?
By sound, mʌs.kjʊ.lə. By letters, as a spelling guide, mus-cu-lar.