How Many Syllables In Undercover?
4syllables
Undercover has 4 syllables, un-der-cov-er. It is a polysyllabic word.
undercover
/ˌʌn.dəˈkʌv.ə/ UK /ˌʌn.dɚˈkʌv.ɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, cov.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/ʌn.də.kʌv.ə/
Division By Letters
un-der-cov-er
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Undercover
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | d | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | k | ʌ | v | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Undercover Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /v/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in undercover?
Undercover has 4 syllables, un-der-cov-er. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.dəˈkʌv.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in undercover?
The third syllable, cov, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of undercover?
Undercover has the structure VC/CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide undercover into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.də.kʌv.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-der-cov-er.
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