How Many Syllables In Quarterback?
3syllables
Quarterback has 3 syllables, quar-ter-back. It is a trisyllabic word.
quarterback
/ˈkwɔː.tə.bæk/ UK /ˈkwɔːr.t̬ɚ.bæk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, quar.
Syllable Structure
CCV/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/kwɔː.tə.bæk/
Division By Letters
quar-ter-back
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Quarterback
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 | kw | ɔː | – | CCV | open |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | b | æ | k | CVC | closed |
Why Quarterback Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in quarterback?
Quarterback has 3 syllables, quar-ter-back. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkwɔː.tə.bæk/.
Which syllable is stressed in quarterback?
The first syllable, quar, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of quarterback?
Quarterback has the structure CCV/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide quarterback into syllables?
By sound, kwɔː.tə.bæk. By letters, as a spelling guide, quar-ter-back.