How Many Syllables In Polemic?
3syllables
Polemic has 3 syllables, po-lem-ic. It is a trisyllabic word.
polemic
/pəˈlem.ɪk/ UK /pəˈlem.ɪk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, lem.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/pə.lem.ɪk/
Division By Letters
po-lem-ic
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Polemic
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | e | m | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
Why Polemic Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in polemic?
Polemic has 3 syllables, po-lem-ic. In British English it is transcribed /pəˈlem.ɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in polemic?
The second syllable, lem, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of polemic?
Polemic has the structure CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide polemic into syllables?
By sound, pə.lem.ɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, po-lem-ic.