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