How Many Syllables In Separate?
3syllables
Separate has 3 syllables, sep-ar-ate. It is a trisyllabic word.
separate
/ˈsep.ər.ət/ UK /ˈsep.ɚ.ət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sep.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/VC
Division By Sound
/sep.ər.ət/
Division By Letters
sep-ar-ate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Separate
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | s | e | p | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | r | VC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | t | VC | closed |
Why Separate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Syllable 2 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | /ˈsep.ər.ət/ | /ˈsep.ɚ.ət/ | 3 |
| Adjective | /ˈsep.ər.ɪt/ | 3 | |
| Verb | /ˈsep.ə.reɪt/ | /ˈsep.ə.reɪt/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in separate?
Separate has 3 syllables, sep-ar-ate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsep.ər.ət/.
Which syllable is stressed in separate?
The first syllable, sep, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of separate?
Separate has the structure CVC/VC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide separate into syllables?
By sound, sep.ər.ət. By letters, as a spelling guide, sep-ar-ate.