Hyphenation ofincomprehensible
Syllable Division:
in-com-pre-hen-si-ble
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
000100
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('hen'). The stress pattern is typical for words of this length and morphological structure.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, initial syllable.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.
Syllabic consonant, final syllable.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: in-
Latin origin, negation.
Root: comprehend
Latin origin, to grasp entirely.
Suffix: -ible
Latin origin, adjective forming suffix, capable of being.
Not capable of being understood.
Examples:
"The lecture was completely incomprehensible."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar structure with a negative prefix and suffix.
Similar suffix '-ible' and syllable count.
Shares the root 'comprehend' and similar syllable structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant (VC)
Syllables typically end in a vowel sound.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable.
Syllabic Consonant Rule
A consonant can form a syllable if it follows a vowel and there is no following vowel.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
Reduction of the final syllable '-ble' to a syllabic consonant is common in rapid speech.
Vowel sounds in unstressed syllables can be reduced to schwas.
Summary:
The word 'incomprehensible' is divided into six syllables: in-com-pre-hen-si-ble. It consists of the prefix 'in-', the root 'comprehend', and the suffix '-ible'. The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable. Syllabification follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns and syllabic consonants.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "incomprehensible" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation: The word "incomprehensible" is pronounced /ɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/ in General British English.
2. Syllable Division: in-com-pre-hen-si-ble
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: in- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
- Root: comprehend (Latin comprehendere - to grasp entirely) - To understand.
- Suffix: -ible (Latin -ibilis) - Adjective forming suffix, meaning "capable of being".
4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /ɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/.
5. Phonetic Transcription: /ɪnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/
6. Edge Case Review: The final syllable "-ble" is often reduced to /bl̩/ (a syllabic consonant) in rapid speech, but retains syllabic status.
7. Grammatical Role: "Incomprehensible" functions primarily as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical context.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Not capable of being understood.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: Unintelligible, obscure, baffling, perplexing.
- Antonyms: Comprehensible, understandable, clear.
- Example Usage: "The lecture was completely incomprehensible."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Impossible: im-pos-si-ble. Similar structure with a negative prefix and suffix. Stress on the third syllable.
- Responsible: re-spon-si-ble. Similar suffix "-ible" and syllable count. Stress on the second syllable.
- Comprehensive: com-pre-hen-sive. Shares the root "comprehend" and similar syllable structure. Stress on the second syllable.
The differences in stress placement are due to the varying weight of the prefixes and the inherent rhythmic patterns of English.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
- in: /ɪn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Initial syllable, vowel followed by consonant. No exceptions.
- com: /kɒm/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant cluster. Potential exception: could be pronounced as a schwa /kəm/ in some dialects.
- pre: /prɪ/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant cluster. No exceptions.
- hen: /hɛn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant cluster. No exceptions.
- si: /sɪ/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant. No exceptions.
- ble: /bl̩/ - Syllabic consonant. Rule: Consonant cluster forming a syllable due to schwa deletion. Exception: can be pronounced /bl/ in slower speech.
Exceptions/Special Cases:
- The reduction of the final syllable "-ble" to a syllabic consonant is a common phonetic phenomenon but doesn't alter the orthographic syllabification.
- The vowel sounds within the syllables can be reduced to schwas in unstressed positions, but this is a phonetic variation, not a change in syllable division.
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant (VC): Syllables typically end in a vowel sound.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable.
- Syllabic Consonant Rule: A consonant can form a syllable if it follows a vowel and there is no following vowel.
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What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.
This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.
With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.