How Many Syllables In Intelligence?
4syllables
Intelligence has 4 syllables, in-tell-i-gence. It is a polysyllabic word.
intelligence
/ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/ UK /ɪnˈtel.ə.dʒəns/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, tell.
Syllable Structure
VC/CVC/V/CVCC
Division By Sound
/ɪn.tel.ɪ.dʒəns/
Division By Letters
in-tell-i-gence
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Intelligence
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 | t | e | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 4 | dʒ | ə | ns | CVCC | closed |
Why Intelligence Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /dʒ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in intelligence?
Intelligence has 4 syllables, in-tell-i-gence. In British English it is transcribed /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/.
Which syllable is stressed in intelligence?
The second syllable, tell, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of intelligence?
Intelligence has the structure VC/CVC/V/CVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide intelligence into syllables?
By sound, ɪn.tel.ɪ.dʒəns. By letters, as a spelling guide, in-tell-i-gence.