How Many Syllables In Legitimate?
4syllables
Legitimate has 4 syllables, le-git-i-mate. It is a polysyllabic word.
legitimate
/lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət/ UK /ləˈdʒɪt.ə.mət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, git.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/lɪ.dʒɪt.ɪ.mət/
Division By Letters
le-git-i-mate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Legitimate
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 |
Why Legitimate 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.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət/ | /ləˈdʒɪt.ə.mət/ | 4 |
| Also | /lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mɪt/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in legitimate?
Legitimate has 4 syllables, le-git-i-mate. In British English it is transcribed /lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət/.
Which syllable is stressed in legitimate?
The second syllable, git, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of legitimate?
Legitimate has the structure CV/CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide legitimate into syllables?
By sound, lɪ.dʒɪt.ɪ.mət. By letters, as a spelling guide, le-git-i-mate.
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