How Many Syllables In Pregnancy?
3syllables
Pregnancy has 3 syllables, pregn-an-cy. It is a trisyllabic word.
pregnancy
/ˈpreɡ.nən.si/ UK /ˈpreɡ.nən.si/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, pregn.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/CVC/CV
Division By Sound
/preɡ.nən.si/
Division By Letters
pregn-an-cy
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Pregnancy
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 | pr | e | ɡ | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | n | ə | n | CVC | closed |
| 3 | s | i | – | CV | open |
Why Pregnancy Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /ɡ/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in pregnancy?
Pregnancy has 3 syllables, pregn-an-cy. In British English it is transcribed /ˈpreɡ.nən.si/.
Which syllable is stressed in pregnancy?
The first syllable, pregn, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of pregnancy?
Pregnancy has the structure CCVC/CVC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide pregnancy into syllables?
By sound, preɡ.nən.si. By letters, as a spelling guide, pregn-an-cy.