How Many Syllables In Policeman?
3syllables
Policeman has 3 syllables, poli-ce-man. It is a trisyllabic word.
policeman
/pəˈliːs.mən/ UK /pəˈliːs.mən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ce.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/pə.liːs.mən/
Division By Letters
poli-ce-man
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Policeman
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 | iː | s | CVC | closed |
| 3 | m | ə | n | CVC | closed |
Why Policeman Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in policeman?
Policeman has 3 syllables, poli-ce-man. In British English it is transcribed /pəˈliːs.mən/.
Which syllable is stressed in policeman?
The second syllable, ce, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of policeman?
Policeman has the structure CV/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide policeman into syllables?
By sound, pə.liːs.mən. By letters, as a spelling guide, poli-ce-man.