How Many Syllables In Illegitimate?
5syllables
Illegitimate has 5 syllables, ill-e-git-i-mate. It is a polysyllabic word.
illegitimate
/ˌɪl.ɪˈdʒɪt.ə.mɪt/ UK /ˌɪl.ɪˈdʒɪt.ə.mɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, git.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪl.ɪ.dʒɪt.ə.mɪt/
Division By Letters
ill-e-git-i-mate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illegitimate
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ɪ | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | dʒ | ɪ | t | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 5 | m | ɪ | t | CVC | closed |
Why Illegitimate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /dʒ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 4 and 5, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in illegitimate?
Illegitimate has 5 syllables, ill-e-git-i-mate. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɪl.ɪˈdʒɪt.ə.mɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in illegitimate?
The third syllable, git, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of illegitimate?
Illegitimate has the structure VC/V/CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide illegitimate into syllables?
By sound, ɪl.ɪ.dʒɪt.ə.mɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, ill-e-git-i-mate.
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