How Many Syllables In Nothingness?
3syllables
Nothingness has 3 syllables, noth-ing-ness. It is a trisyllabic word.
nothingness
/ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/ UK /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, noth.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/CVC
Division By Sound
/nʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/
Division By Letters
noth-ing-ness
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Nothingness
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 | n | ʌ | θ | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | ŋ | VC | closed |
| 3 | n | ə | s | CVC | closed |
Why Nothingness Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /θ/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/ | /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nɪs/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in nothingness?
Nothingness has 3 syllables, noth-ing-ness. In British English it is transcribed /ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs/.
Which syllable is stressed in nothingness?
The first syllable, noth, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of nothingness?
Nothingness has the structure CVC/VC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide nothingness into syllables?
By sound, nʌθ.ɪŋ.nəs. By letters, as a spelling guide, noth-ing-ness.