How Many Syllables In Voluntary?
4syllables
Voluntary has 4 syllables, vol-un-tar-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
voluntary
/ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/ UK /ˈvɑː.lənˌter.i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, vol.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/vɒl.ən.tər.i/
Division By Letters
vol-un-tar-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Voluntary
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | v | ɒ | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
| 3 | t | ə | r | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Voluntary Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in voluntary?
Voluntary has 4 syllables, vol-un-tar-y. In British English it is transcribed /ˈvɒl.ən.tər.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in voluntary?
The first syllable, vol, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of voluntary?
Voluntary has the structure CVC/VC/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide voluntary into syllables?
By sound, vɒl.ən.tər.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, vol-un-tar-y.