How Many Syllables In Totally?
3syllables
Totally has 3 syllables, to-ta-lly. It is a trisyllabic word.
totally
/ˈtəʊ.təl.i/ UK /ˈtoʊ.t̬ə.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, to.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/təʊ.təl.i/
Division By Letters
to-ta-lly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Totally
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 | t | əʊ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | t | ə | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Totally Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 ends in /l/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in totally?
Totally has 3 syllables, to-ta-lly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈtəʊ.təl.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in totally?
The first syllable, to, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of totally?
Totally has the structure CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide totally into syllables?
By sound, təʊ.təl.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, to-ta-lly.