How Many Syllables In Epitaph?
3syllables
Epitaph has 3 syllables, ep-i-taph. It is a trisyllabic word.
epitaph
/ˈep.ɪ.tɑːf/ UK /ˈep.əˌtæf/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ep.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ep.ɪ.tɑːf/
Division By Letters
ep-i-taph
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Epitaph
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 | p | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | ɑː | f | CVC | closed |
Why Epitaph Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in epitaph?
Epitaph has 3 syllables, ep-i-taph. In British English it is transcribed /ˈep.ɪ.tɑːf/.
Which syllable is stressed in epitaph?
The first syllable, ep, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of epitaph?
Epitaph has the structure VC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide epitaph into syllables?
By sound, ep.ɪ.tɑːf. By letters, as a spelling guide, ep-i-taph.