How Many Syllables In Secondary?
3syllables
Secondary has 3 syllables, second-a-ry. It is a trisyllabic word.
secondary
/ˈsek.ən.dri/ UK /ˈsek.ən.der.i/ US
Secondary can also be said with 4 syllables (US /ˈsek.ən.der.i/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, second.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/CCV
Division By Sound
/sek.ən.dri/
Division By Letters
second-a-ry
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Secondary
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 | s | e | k | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
| 3 | dr | i | – | CCV | open |
Why Secondary Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /dr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in secondary?
Secondary has 3 syllables, second-a-ry. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsek.ən.dri/.
Which syllable is stressed in secondary?
The first syllable, second, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of secondary?
Secondary has the structure CVC/VC/CCV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide secondary into syllables?
By sound, sek.ən.dri. By letters, as a spelling guide, second-a-ry.