How Many Syllables In Elaborate?
4syllables
Elaborate has 4 syllables, e-lab-or-ate. It is a polysyllabic word.
elaborate
/ɪˈlæb.ər.ət/ UK /ɪˈlæb.ɚ.ət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, lab.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/VC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɪ.læb.ər.ət/
Division By Letters
e-lab-or-ate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Elaborate
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | æ | b | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | r | VC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | t | VC | closed |
Why Elaborate Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /b/.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | /ɪˈlæb.ər.ət/ | /ɪˈlæb.ɚ.ət/ | 4 |
| Adjective | /ɪˈlæb.ər.ɪt/ | 4 | |
| Verb | /ɪˈlæb.ə.reɪt/ | /ɪˈlæb.ə.reɪt/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in elaborate?
Elaborate has 4 syllables, e-lab-or-ate. In British English it is transcribed /ɪˈlæb.ər.ət/.
Which syllable is stressed in elaborate?
The second syllable, lab, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of elaborate?
Elaborate has the structure V/CVC/VC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide elaborate into syllables?
By sound, ɪ.læb.ər.ət. By letters, as a spelling guide, e-lab-or-ate.
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