How Many Syllables In Hesitate?
3syllables
Hesitate has 3 syllables, hes-i-tate. It is a trisyllabic word.
hesitate
/ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt/ UK /ˈhez.əˌteɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, hes.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/hez.ɪ.teɪt/
Division By Letters
hes-i-tate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Hesitate
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 | h | e | z | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | eɪ | t | CVC | closed |
Why Hesitate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /z/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in hesitate?
Hesitate has 3 syllables, hes-i-tate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in hesitate?
The first syllable, hes, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of hesitate?
Hesitate has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide hesitate into syllables?
By sound, hez.ɪ.teɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, hes-i-tate.