How Many Syllables In Illness?
2syllables
Illness has 2 syllables, ill-ness. It is a disyllabic word.
illness
/ˈɪl.nəs/ UK /ˈɪl.nəs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ill.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪl.nəs/
Division By Letters
ill-ness
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illness
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 | – | ɪ | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | n | ə | s | CVC | closed |
Why Illness Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈɪl.nəs/ | /ˈɪl.nəs/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈɪl.nɪs/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in illness?
Illness has 2 syllables, ill-ness. In British English it is transcribed /ˈɪl.nəs/.
Which syllable is stressed in illness?
The first syllable, ill, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of illness?
Illness has the structure VC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide illness into syllables?
By sound, ɪl.nəs. By letters, as a spelling guide, ill-ness.