How Many Syllables In Inanimate?
4syllables
Inanimate has 4 syllables, in-an-i-mate. It is a polysyllabic word.
inanimate
/ɪnˈæn.ɪ.mət/ UK /ɪnˈæn.ə.mət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, an.
Syllable Structure
VC/VC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.æn.ɪ.mət/
Division By Letters
in-an-i-mate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Inanimate
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | – | æ | n | VC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 4 | m | ə | t | CVC | closed |
Why Inanimate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 ends in /n/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in inanimate?
Inanimate has 4 syllables, in-an-i-mate. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈæn.ɪ.mət/.
Which syllable is stressed in inanimate?
The second syllable, an, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of inanimate?
Inanimate has the structure VC/VC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide inanimate into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.æn.ɪ.mət. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-an-i-mate.