How Many Syllables In Possibly?
3syllables
Possibly has 3 syllables, poss-i-bly. It is a trisyllabic word.
possibly
/ˈpɒs.ə.bli/ UK /ˈpɑː.sə.bli/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, poss.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CCV
Division By Sound
/pɒs.ə.bli/
Division By Letters
poss-i-bly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Possibly
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 | p | ɒ | s | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | bl | i | – | CCV | open |
Why Possibly Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /bl/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in possibly?
Possibly has 3 syllables, poss-i-bly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈpɒs.ə.bli/.
Which syllable is stressed in possibly?
The first syllable, poss, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of possibly?
Possibly has the structure CVC/V/CCV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide possibly into syllables?
By sound, pɒs.ə.bli. By letters, as a spelling guide, poss-i-bly.