How Many Syllables In Dialogue?
3syllables
Dialogue has 3 syllables, dial-o-gue. It is a trisyllabic word.
dialogue
/ˈdaɪ.ə.lɒɡ/ UK /ˈdaɪ.ə.lɔːɡ/ US
Dialogue can also be said with 2 syllables (UK /ˈdaɪə.lɒɡ/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, dial.
Syllable Structure
CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/daɪ.ə.lɒɡ/
Division By Letters
dial-o-gue
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Dialogue
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 | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | l | ɒ | ɡ | CVC | closed |
Why Dialogue Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈdaɪ.ə.lɒɡ/ | /ˈdaɪ.ə.lɔːɡ/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈdaɪə.lɒɡ/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in dialogue?
Dialogue has 3 syllables, dial-o-gue. In British English it is transcribed /ˈdaɪ.ə.lɒɡ/.
Which syllable is stressed in dialogue?
The first syllable, dial, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of dialogue?
Dialogue has the structure CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide dialogue into syllables?
By sound, daɪ.ə.lɒɡ. By letters, as a spelling guide, dial-o-gue.