How Many Syllables In Possession?
3syllables
Possession has 3 syllables, po-ssess-ion. It is a trisyllabic word.
possession
/pəˈzeʃ.ən/ UK /pəˈzeʃ.ən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ssess.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/pə.zeʃ.ən/
Division By Letters
po-ssess-ion
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Possession
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | z | e | ʃ | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
Why Possession Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /z/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /ʃ/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in possession?
Possession has 3 syllables, po-ssess-ion. In British English it is transcribed /pəˈzeʃ.ən/.
Which syllable is stressed in possession?
The second syllable, ssess, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of possession?
Possession has the structure CV/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide possession into syllables?
By sound, pə.zeʃ.ən. By letters, as a spelling guide, po-ssess-ion.