How Many Syllables In Eligible?
4syllables
Eligible has 4 syllables, el-i-gi-ble. It is a polysyllabic word.
eligible
/ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/ UK /ˈel.ə.dʒə.bəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, el.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/el.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/
Division By Letters
el-i-gi-ble
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Eligible
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 | – | e | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | dʒ | ə | – | CV | open |
| 4 | b | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Eligible Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /dʒ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/ | /ˈel.ə.dʒə.bəl/ | 4 |
| Also | /ˈel.ɪ.dʒɪ.bəl/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in eligible?
Eligible has 4 syllables, el-i-gi-ble. In British English it is transcribed /ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in eligible?
The first syllable, el, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of eligible?
Eligible has the structure VC/V/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide eligible into syllables?
By sound, el.ɪ.dʒə.bəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, el-i-gi-ble.