HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofprosecution-proof

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

pro-se-cu-tion-proof

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

/ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən pruːf/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

01101

Primary stress falls on the third syllable of 'prosecution' (/kjuː/) and the first syllable of 'proof' (/pruːf/). The first syllable of 'prosecution' is secondary stressed.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

pro/prəʊ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

se/sɪ/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

cu/kjuː/

Closed syllable, stressed.

tion/ʃən/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

proof/pruːf/

Closed syllable, stressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

pro-(prefix)
+
secut-(root)
+
-ion(suffix)

Prefix: pro-

Latin origin, meaning 'forward' or 'for'.

Root: secut-

Latin origin, from *sequi* meaning 'to follow', forming the base of 'prosecute'.

Suffix: -ion

Latin origin, nominalizing suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Not legally vulnerable to prosecution; immune from legal charges.

Examples:

"The contract was carefully drafted to be prosecution-proof."

"His alibi made him prosecution-proof."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

constitutioncon-sti-tu-tion

Similar syllable structure and suffix (-tion).

resolutionre-so-lu-tion

Shares the '-tion' suffix and similar stress pattern.

waterproofwa-ter-proof

Compound adjective with a similar structure.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset Maximization

Attempting to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of each syllable.

Vowel-Centric Syllables

Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Division

Dividing consonant clusters based on sonority.

Special Considerations

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

The hyphenated nature of the word requires treating each component separately for initial syllable division.

Potential slight vowel reduction in unstressed syllables by some speakers.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'prosecution-proof' is divided into five syllables: pro-se-cu-tion-proof. It's a compound adjective formed from Latin and English roots, with primary stress on the third syllable of 'prosecution' and the first syllable of 'proof'. Syllable division follows standard English rules prioritizing onsets and vowel centrality.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "prosecution-proof" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "prosecution-proof" presents challenges due to its compound nature and the presence of multiple morphemes. The pronunciation in GB English will influence the syllable division. We'll assume a Received Pronunciation (RP) accent as a baseline.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllable division rules, which prioritize maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, the division will be as follows (detailed in the JSON output).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: pro- (Latin, meaning "forward," "for," or "in favor of") - functions as a prefix indicating support or advocacy.
  • Root: secut- (Latin, from sequi meaning "to follow") - forms the base of "prosecute".
  • Suffix: -ion (Latin, forming a noun from a verb) - nominalizing suffix.
  • Root: proof (English, from Old French preve, meaning "test," "trial," or "evidence") - indicating resistance or immunity.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the second syllable of "prosecution" and the first syllable of "proof".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən pruːf/

6. Edge Case Review:

The hyphenated nature of the word introduces a slight edge case. While generally treated as a single compound word, the syllable division within each component must adhere to standard English rules.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Prosecution-proof" functions primarily as an adjective. The stress pattern remains consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Not legally vulnerable to prosecution; immune from legal charges.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: Impugnable, invulnerable (legally), airtight
  • Antonyms: Vulnerable, liable, prosecutable
  • Examples: "The contract was carefully drafted to be prosecution-proof." "His alibi made him prosecution-proof."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "Constitution": /ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən/ - Similar syllable structure to "prosecution" (CVC-CVC-CVC). Stress on the second syllable.
  • "Resolution": /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/ - Shares the "-tion" suffix and similar stress pattern.
  • "Waterproof": /ˈwɔːtəpruːf/ - Compound adjective, similar structure to "prosecution-proof", with stress on the first element.

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables, but the core syllable division remains consistent. American English pronunciation might differ slightly in vowel quality, but the syllable structure would remain largely the same.

11. Syllable Division Rules Applied:

  • Onset Maximization: Attempting to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of each syllable.
  • Vowel-Centric Syllables: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
  • Consonant Cluster Division: Dividing consonant clusters based on sonority (ease of articulation).
  • Compound Word Syllabification: Treating hyphenated compound words as separate units for initial syllable division, then applying standard rules within each unit.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

The hottest word splits in English (GB)

See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.

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.