How Many Syllables In Illiterate?
4syllables
Illiterate has 4 syllables, i-llit-er-ate. It is a polysyllabic word.
illiterate
/ɪˈlɪt.ər.ət/ UK /ɪˈlɪt.ɚ.ət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, llit.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/VC/VC
Division By Sound
/ɪ.lɪt.ər.ət/
Division By Letters
i-llit-er-ate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illiterate
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 | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | ɪ | t | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | r | VC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | t | VC | closed |
Why Illiterate Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ 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/.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in illiterate?
Illiterate has 4 syllables, i-llit-er-ate. In British English it is transcribed /ɪˈlɪt.ər.ət/.
Which syllable is stressed in illiterate?
The second syllable, llit, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of illiterate?
Illiterate has the structure V/CVC/VC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide illiterate into syllables?
By sound, ɪ.lɪt.ər.ət. By letters, as a spelling guide, i-llit-er-ate.
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