How Many Syllables In Underpants?
3syllables
Underpants has 3 syllables, un-der-pants. It is a trisyllabic word.
underpants
/ˈʌn.də.pænts/ UK /ˈʌn.dɚ.pænts/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, un.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVCCC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.də.pænts/
Division By Letters
un-der-pants
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Underpants
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 | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | d | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | p | æ | nts | CVCCC | closed |
Why Underpants Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /p/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in underpants?
Underpants has 3 syllables, un-der-pants. In British English it is transcribed /ˈʌn.də.pænts/.
Which syllable is stressed in underpants?
The first syllable, un, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of underpants?
Underpants has the structure VC/CV/CVCCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide underpants into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.də.pænts. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-der-pants.