How Many Syllables In Unreliable?
5syllables
Unreliable has 5 syllables, un-re-li-a-ble. It is a polysyllabic word.
unreliable
/ˌʌn.rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ UK /ˌʌn.rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, li.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.rɪ.laɪ.ə.bəl/
Division By Letters
un-re-li-a-ble
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unreliable
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | r | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | l | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 5 | b | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Unreliable Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 3 and 4, so syllable 4 has no onset.
- Between syllables 4 and 5, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unreliable?
Unreliable has 5 syllables, un-re-li-a-ble. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in unreliable?
The third syllable, li, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unreliable?
Unreliable has the structure VC/CV/CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unreliable into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.rɪ.laɪ.ə.bəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-re-li-a-ble.
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