How Many Syllables In Undertake?
3syllables
Undertake has 3 syllables, un-der-take. It is a trisyllabic word.
undertake
/ˌʌn.dəˈteɪk/ UK /ˌʌn.dɚˈteɪk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, take.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.də.teɪk/
Division By Letters
un-der-take
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Undertake
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | d | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | t | eɪ | k | CVC | closed |
Why Undertake Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in undertake?
Undertake has 3 syllables, un-der-take. In British English it is transcribed /ˌʌn.dəˈteɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in undertake?
The third syllable, take, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of undertake?
Undertake has the structure VC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide undertake into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.də.teɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-der-take.