How Many Syllables In Unlawful?
3syllables
Unlawful has 3 syllables, un-law-ful. It is a trisyllabic word.
unlawful
/ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/ UK /ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, law.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.lɔː.fəl/
Division By Letters
un-law-ful
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unlawful
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | l | ɔː | – | CV | open |
| 3 | f | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Unlawful Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /f/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unlawful?
Unlawful has 3 syllables, un-law-ful. In British English it is transcribed /ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in unlawful?
The second syllable, law, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unlawful?
Unlawful has the structure VC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unlawful into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.lɔː.fəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-law-ful.