How Many Syllables In Excavate?
3syllables
Excavate has 3 syllables, ex-ca-vate. It is a trisyllabic word.
excavate
/ˈek.skə.veɪt/ UK /ˈek.skə.veɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ex.
Syllable Structure
VC/CCV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ek.skə.veɪt/
Division By Letters
ex-ca-vate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Excavate
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 | – | e | k | VC | closed |
| 2 | sk | ə | – | CCV | open |
| 3 | v | eɪ | t | CVC | closed |
Why Excavate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /v/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in excavate?
Excavate has 3 syllables, ex-ca-vate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈek.skə.veɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in excavate?
The first syllable, ex, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of excavate?
Excavate has the structure VC/CCV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide excavate into syllables?
By sound, ek.skə.veɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, ex-ca-vate.