How Many Syllables In Expire?
2syllables
Expire has 2 syllables, ex-pire. It is a disyllabic word.
expire
/ɪkˈspaɪə/ UK /ɪkˈspaɪɚ/ US
Expire can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /ɪkˈspaɪ.ə/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, pire.
Syllable Structure
VC/CCV
Division By Sound
/ɪk.spaɪə/
Division By Letters
ex-pire
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Expire
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 | aɪə | – | CCV | open |
Why Expire Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /sp/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ɪkˈspaɪə/ | /ɪkˈspaɪɚ/ | 2 |
| Also | /ɪkˈspaɪ.ə/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in expire?
Expire has 2 syllables, ex-pire. In British English it is transcribed /ɪkˈspaɪə/.
Which syllable is stressed in expire?
The second syllable, pire, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of expire?
Expire has the structure VC/CCV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide expire into syllables?
By sound, ɪk.spaɪə. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-pire.