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Hyphenation ofcross-interrogation

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

cross-in-ter-ro-ga-tion

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/ˌkrɒsɪntərroʊˈɡeɪʃən/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0 1 0 0 1 0

Primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable ('ga-'), and secondary stress on the first syllable ('cross').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

cross/krɒs/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.

in/ɪn/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

ter/tər/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

ro/roʊ/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

ga/ɡə/

Open syllable, vowel preceded by consonant.

tion/ʃən/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

cross-(prefix)
+
interrog-(root)
+
-ation(suffix)

Prefix: cross-

Old English origin, intensifying adverbial particle.

Root: interrog-

Latin origin (*interrogare*), meaning 'to question'.

Suffix: -ation

Latin origin (*-atio*), nominalizing suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A thorough and often aggressive form of questioning, typically used by police or investigators.

Examples:

"The suspect underwent a lengthy cross-interrogation."

"The detective's cross-interrogation revealed inconsistencies in the witness's story."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

communicationcom-mu-ni-ca-tion

Similar syllable structure with alternating vowel-consonant patterns.

investigationin-ves-ti-ga-tion

Shares the '-tion' suffix and similar vowel-consonant patterns.

informationin-for-ma-tion

Similar initial syllable structure ('in-') and the '-tion' suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are typically divided after a vowel sound, especially when followed by a consonant.

Compound Word Syllabification

Each morpheme within a compound word is generally treated as a separate syllable.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

The compound nature of the word requires consideration of stress patterns within the compound.

Potential vowel reduction in 'interrogation' in some dialects.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'cross-interrogation' is divided into six syllables: cross-in-ter-ro-ga-tion. It's a compound noun with Latin and Old English roots, and primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable. Syllabification follows standard vowel-consonant division rules, with consideration for the compound structure.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "cross-interrogation" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "cross-interrogation" is a compound noun. Its pronunciation in GB English is approximately /ˌkrɒsɪntərroʊˈɡeɪʃən/. It presents challenges due to the compound structure and the presence of multiple vowels and consonant clusters.

2. Syllable Division:

Following GB English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

cross-in-ter-ro-ga-tion

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: cross- (Old English) - Function: Adverbial particle, intensifying or modifying the meaning of the root.
  • Root: interrog- (Latin interrogare - to question) - Function: Core meaning relating to questioning.
  • Suffix: -ation (Latin -atio) - Function: Nominalizing suffix, forming a noun from a verb.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌkrɒsɪntərroʊˈɡeɪʃən/. Secondary stress is on the first syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌkrɒsɪntərroʊˈɡeɪʃən/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • cross: /krɒs/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Potential exception: The 'ss' cluster could be considered a complex onset, but is commonly treated as a single unit.
  • in: /ɪn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) at the end of the syllable.
  • ter: /tər/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) at the end of the syllable.
  • ro: /roʊ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).
  • ga: /ɡə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant(s).
  • tion: /ʃən/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) at the end of the syllable.

7. Edge Case Review & Exceptions:

The compound nature of the word introduces a slight complexity. While each component follows standard syllabification, the overall structure requires consideration of stress patterns within the compound. The 'inter-' portion is often treated as a single unit due to its frequent occurrence as a prefix.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Cross-interrogation" primarily functions as a noun. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of grammatical function, as the orthography does not change.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A thorough and often aggressive form of questioning, typically used by police or investigators.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: questioning, examination, grilling, probing
  • Antonyms: reassurance, affirmation, acceptance
  • Examples: "The suspect underwent a lengthy cross-interrogation." "The detective's cross-interrogation revealed inconsistencies in the witness's story."

10. Alternative Pronunciations & Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "interrogation" to a schwa /ɪntərroʊˈɡeɪʃən/, which could slightly affect the perceived syllable boundaries, but not the written division. Regional accents may also influence vowel quality.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • communication: com-mu-ni-ca-tion - Similar syllable structure with alternating vowel-consonant patterns.
  • investigation: in-ves-ti-ga-tion - Shares the '-tion' suffix and similar vowel-consonant patterns.
  • information: in-for-ma-tion - Similar initial syllable structure ('in-') and the '-tion' suffix.

The differences lie in the initial consonant clusters and the specific vowel sounds, which influence stress placement and syllable prominence. "Cross-interrogation" has a more complex initial cluster than the others.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/6/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.