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