nonretentivness
Syllables
non-re-ten-tiv-ness
Pronunciation
/ˌnɒn.rɪˈten.tɪv.nəs/
Stress
00100
Morphemes
non- + retent- + -ive-ness
The word 'nonretentiveness' is divided into five syllables: non-re-ten-tiv-ness. The primary stress falls on 'ten'. It's a noun formed from the prefix 'non-', the root 'retent-', and the suffixes '-ive' and '-ness'. Syllabification follows standard English rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.
Definitions
- 1
The quality or state of not retaining information or skills.
“His nonretentiveness made it difficult for him to learn new languages.”
“The patient's nonretentiveness was a symptom of the neurological condition.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable, 'ten'.
Syllables
non — Open syllable, initial syllable.. re — Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.. ten — Closed, stressed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.. tiv — Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.. ness — Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.
Word Parts
Similar Words
Vowel-Consonant Division
Syllable breaks often occur after a vowel followed by a consonant.
Onset Maximization
Attempting to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.
Avoidance of Stranded Consonants
Consonants generally prefer to be attached to a following vowel.
- The length of the word and multiple suffixes create a complex structure.
- The 't' in 'retentiveness' can be pronounced as a flap [ɾ] intervocalically, but this doesn't affect syllabification.
Nearby Words
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