How Many Syllables In Unsteady?
3syllables
Unsteady has 3 syllables, un-stead-y. It is a trisyllabic word.
unsteady
/ʌnˈsted.i/ UK /ʌnˈsted.i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, stead.
Syllable Structure
VC/CCVC/V
Division By Sound
/ʌn.sted.i/
Division By Letters
un-stead-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unsteady
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 | st | e | d | CCVC | closed |
| 3 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Unsteady Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /st/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /d/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unsteady?
Unsteady has 3 syllables, un-stead-y. In British English it is transcribed /ʌnˈsted.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in unsteady?
The second syllable, stead, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unsteady?
Unsteady has the structure VC/CCVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unsteady into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.sted.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-stead-y.