How Many Syllables In Graduate?
3syllables
Graduate has 3 syllables, grad-u-ate. It is a trisyllabic word.
graduate
/ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ UK /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, grad.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/V/VC
Division By Sound
/ɡrædʒ.u.ət/
Division By Letters
grad-u-ate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Graduate
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 | ɡr | æ | dʒ | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | – | u | – | V | open |
| 3 | – | ə | t | VC | closed |
Why Graduate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /dʒ/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ | 3 |
| Noun | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ɪt/ | 3 | |
| Verb | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in graduate?
Graduate has 3 syllables, grad-u-ate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/.
Which syllable is stressed in graduate?
The first syllable, grad, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of graduate?
Graduate has the structure CCVC/V/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide graduate into syllables?
By sound, ɡrædʒ.u.ət. By letters, as a spelling guide, grad-u-ate.