The word tally is divided into 2 syllables: tal·ly. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of tally:
Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled
Clipping of tallyho. From Middle English talie, from Anglo-Norman tallie and Old French taille (“notch in a piece of wood signifying a debt”), from Medieval Latin tallia, from Latin talea (“a cutting, rod, stick”). Doublet of taille and talea. From Middle English talien, from the noun (see above). Also from Medieval Latin taliare. From Middle English tally, talliche, equivalent to tall + -ly. tal (adjective) + -ly (adverbial)
Understanding how to break down tally into syllables helps with:
Compare tally with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| tally | 2 | tal·ly |
| tidal | 2 | tid-al |
| tel | 1 | tel |
| toothily | 3 | too-thi-ly |
| tali | 2 | ta-li |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to tally:
tally has 2 syllables: tal·ly. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: tal. This means you emphasize the "tal" part when pronouncing tally.
tally is pronounced as /ˈtæli/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: tal·ly.
Breaking tally into syllables helps with spelling: tal·ly. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.
Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.