How Many Syllables In Stepfather?
3syllables
Stepfather has 3 syllables, step-fa-ther. It is a trisyllabic word.
stepfather
/ˈstep.fɑː.ðə/ UK /ˈstep.fɑː.ðɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, step.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/step.fɑː.ðə/
Division By Letters
step-fa-ther
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Stepfather
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 | st | e | p | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | f | ɑː | – | CV | open |
| 3 | ð | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Stepfather Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ð/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in stepfather?
Stepfather has 3 syllables, step-fa-ther. In British English it is transcribed /ˈstep.fɑː.ðə/.
Which syllable is stressed in stepfather?
The first syllable, step, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of stepfather?
Stepfather has the structure CCVC/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide stepfather into syllables?
By sound, step.fɑː.ðə. By letters, as a spelling guide, step-fa-ther.