How Many Syllables In Unemployment?
4syllables
Unemployment has 4 syllables, un-em-ploy-ment. It is a polysyllabic word.
unemployment
/ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/ UK /ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, ploy.
Syllable Structure
VC/VC/CCV/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.ɪm.plɔɪ.mənt/
Division By Letters
un-em-ploy-ment
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unemployment
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 | – | CCV | open |
| 4 | m | ə | nt | CVCC | closed |
Why Unemployment 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.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unemployment?
Unemployment has 4 syllables, un-em-ploy-ment. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/.
Which syllable is stressed in unemployment?
The third syllable, ploy, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unemployment?
Unemployment has the structure VC/VC/CCV/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unemployment into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.ɪm.plɔɪ.mənt. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-em-ploy-ment.