How Many Syllables In Purgatory?
4syllables
Purgatory has 4 syllables, pur-ga-tor-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
purgatory
/ˈpɜː.ɡə.tər.i/ UK /ˈpɝː.ɡə.t̬ɔːr.i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, pur.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/pɜː.ɡə.tər.i/
Division By Letters
pur-ga-tor-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Purgatory
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 | ɜː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | ɡ | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | t | ə | r | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Purgatory Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /ɡ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in purgatory?
Purgatory has 4 syllables, pur-ga-tor-y. In British English it is transcribed /ˈpɜː.ɡə.tər.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in purgatory?
The first syllable, pur, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of purgatory?
Purgatory has the structure CV/CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide purgatory into syllables?
By sound, pɜː.ɡə.tər.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, pur-ga-tor-y.