How Many Syllables In Delegate?
3syllables
Delegate has 3 syllables, del-e-gate. It is a trisyllabic word.
delegate
/ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/ UK /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, del.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/del.ɪ.ɡət/
Division By Letters
del-e-gate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Delegate
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 | d | e | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | ɡ | ə | t | CVC | closed |
Why Delegate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /ɡ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/ | /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/ | 3 |
| Noun | /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡɪt/ | 3 | |
| Verb | /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ | /ˈdel.ə.ɡeɪt/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in delegate?
Delegate has 3 syllables, del-e-gate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/.
Which syllable is stressed in delegate?
The first syllable, del, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of delegate?
Delegate has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide delegate into syllables?
By sound, del.ɪ.ɡət. By letters, as a spelling guide, del-e-gate.