How Many Syllables In Unemployed?
3syllables
Unemployed has 3 syllables, un-em-ployed. It is a trisyllabic word.
unemployed
/ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪd/ UK /ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪd/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, ployed.
Syllable Structure
VC/VC/CCVC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.ɪm.plɔɪd/
Division By Letters
un-em-ployed
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unemployed
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 | – | ɪ | m | VC | closed |
| 3 primary stress | pl | ɔɪ | d | CCVC | closed |
Why Unemployed Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /pl/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unemployed?
Unemployed has 3 syllables, un-em-ployed. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪd/.
Which syllable is stressed in unemployed?
The third syllable, ployed, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unemployed?
Unemployed has the structure VC/VC/CCVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unemployed into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.ɪm.plɔɪd. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-em-ployed.