How Many Syllables In Expense?
2syllables
Expense has 2 syllables, ex-pense. It is a disyllabic word.
expense
/ɪkˈspens/ UK /ɪkˈspens/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, pense.
Syllable Structure
VC/CCVCC
Division By Sound
/ɪk.spens/
Division By Letters
ex-pense
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Expense
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | sp | e | ns | CCVCC | closed |
Why Expense Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /sp/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in expense?
Expense has 2 syllables, ex-pense. In British English it is transcribed /ɪkˈspens/.
Which syllable is stressed in expense?
The second syllable, pense, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of expense?
Expense has the structure VC/CCVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide expense into syllables?
By sound, ɪk.spens. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-pense.