How Many Syllables In Intellectual?
5syllables
Intellectual has 5 syllables, in-te-llec-tu-al. It is a polysyllabic word.
intellectual
/ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃu.əl/ UK /ˌɪn.t̬əˈlek.tʃu.əl/ US
Intellectual can also be said with 4 syllables (UK /ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃʊəl/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, llec.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC/CV/VC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.tə.lek.tʃu.əl/
Division By Letters
in-te-llec-tu-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Intellectual
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | l | e | k | CVC | closed |
| 4 | tʃ | u | – | CV | open |
| 5 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Intellectual Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 4 and 5, so syllable 5 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃu.əl/ | /ˌɪn.t̬əˈlek.tʃu.əl/ | 5 |
| Also | /ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃʊəl/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in intellectual?
Intellectual has 5 syllables, in-te-llec-tu-al. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃu.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in intellectual?
The third syllable, llec, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of intellectual?
Intellectual has the structure VC/CV/CVC/CV/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide intellectual into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.tə.lek.tʃu.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-te-llec-tu-al.
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