How Many Syllables In Allowance?
3syllables
Allowance has 3 syllables, a-llow-ance. It is a trisyllabic word.
allowance
/əˈlaʊ.əns/ UK /əˈlaʊ.əns/ US
Allowance can also be said with 2 syllables (UK /əˈlaʊəns/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, llow.
Syllable Structure
V/CV/VCC
Division By Sound
/ə.laʊ.əns/
Division By Letters
a-llow-ance
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Allowance
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | aʊ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | ns | VCC | closed |
Why Allowance Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /əˈlaʊ.əns/ | /əˈlaʊ.əns/ | 3 |
| Also | /əˈlaʊəns/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in allowance?
Allowance has 3 syllables, a-llow-ance. In British English it is transcribed /əˈlaʊ.əns/.
Which syllable is stressed in allowance?
The second syllable, llow, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of allowance?
Allowance has the structure V/CV/VCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide allowance into syllables?
By sound, ə.laʊ.əns. By letters, as a spelling guide, a-llow-ance.