How Many Syllables In Whatever?
3syllables
Whatever has 3 syllables, what-ev-er. It is a trisyllabic word.
whatever
/wɒtˈev.ə/ UK /wʌtˈev.ɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ev.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/V
Division By Sound
/wɒt.ev.ə/
Division By Letters
what-ev-er
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Whatever
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | w | ɒ | t | CVC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | – | e | v | VC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Whatever Divides Here
- Syllable 1 ends in /t/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /v/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in whatever?
Whatever has 3 syllables, what-ev-er. In British English it is transcribed /wɒtˈev.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in whatever?
The second syllable, ev, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of whatever?
Whatever has the structure CVC/VC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide whatever into syllables?
By sound, wɒt.ev.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, what-ev-er.