How Many Syllables In Stepmother?
3syllables
Stepmother has 3 syllables, step-moth-er. It is a trisyllabic word.
stepmother
/ˈstep.mʌð.ə/ UK /ˈstep.mʌð.ɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, step.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/step.mʌð.ə/
Division By Letters
step-moth-er
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Stepmother
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 | st | e | p | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | m | ʌ | ð | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Stepmother Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Syllable 2 ends in /ð/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in stepmother?
Stepmother has 3 syllables, step-moth-er. In British English it is transcribed /ˈstep.mʌð.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in stepmother?
The first syllable, step, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of stepmother?
Stepmother has the structure CCVC/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide stepmother into syllables?
By sound, step.mʌð.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, step-moth-er.