How Many Syllables In Utility?
4syllables
Utility has 4 syllables, u-til-i-ty. It is a polysyllabic word.
utility
/juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/ UK /juːˈtɪl.ə.t̬i/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, til.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/juː.tɪl.ə.ti/
Division By Letters
u-til-i-ty
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Utility
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | j | uː | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | ɪ | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | t | i | – | CV | open |
Why Utility Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in utility?
Utility has 4 syllables, u-til-i-ty. In British English it is transcribed /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/.
Which syllable is stressed in utility?
The second syllable, til, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of utility?
Utility has the structure CV/CVC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide utility into syllables?
By sound, juː.tɪl.ə.ti. By letters, as a spelling guide, u-til-i-ty.