How Many Syllables In Underground?
3syllables
Underground has 3 syllables, un-der-ground. It is a trisyllabic word.
underground
/ˌʌn.dəˈɡraʊnd/ UK /ˌʌn.dɚˈɡraʊnd/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, ground.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CCVCC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.də.ɡraʊnd/
Division By Letters
un-der-ground
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Underground
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 | ɡr | aʊ | nd | CCVCC | closed |
Why Underground Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ɡr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in underground?
Underground has 3 syllables, un-der-ground. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.dəˈɡraʊnd/.
Which syllable is stressed in underground?
The third syllable, ground, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of underground?
Underground has the structure VC/CV/CCVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide underground into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.də.ɡraʊnd. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-der-ground.