How Many Syllables In Reliable?
4syllables
Reliable has 4 syllables, re-li-a-ble. It is a polysyllabic word.
reliable
/rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ UK /rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ US
Reliable can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /rɪˈlaɪə.bəl/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, li.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/rɪ.laɪ.ə.bəl/
Division By Letters
re-li-a-ble
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Reliable
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | r | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | b | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Reliable Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ | /rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ | 4 |
| Also | /rɪˈlaɪə.bəl/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in reliable?
Reliable has 4 syllables, re-li-a-ble. In British English it is transcribed /rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in reliable?
The second syllable, li, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of reliable?
Reliable has the structure CV/CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide reliable into syllables?
By sound, rɪ.laɪ.ə.bəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, re-li-a-ble.