Hyphenation ofquasi-respectable

Analysis of "quasi-respectable" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /ˈkweɪziː rɪˈspektəbl̩/ in General British English.

2. Syllable Division: qua-si-re-spec-ta-ble

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: quasi- (Latin, meaning "as if," "somewhat," or "apparently") - functions as an intensifier or modifier.
• Root: respect- (Latin respectus, past participle of respicere meaning "to look back at," "to regard") - denotes esteem or consideration.
• Suffix: -able (Old French –able, from Latin -abilis) - forms adjectives indicating capability or susceptibility.

4. Stress Identification: Primary stress falls on the third syllable, spec. Secondary stress falls on the first syllable, qua.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˈkweɪziː rɪˈspektəbl̩/

6. Edge Case Review: The combination of a prefix of Latin origin with a root of Latin origin, followed by a suffix of Latin origin, is common in English and doesn't present unusual syllabification challenges. The schwa /ə/ in the final syllable is a typical reduction in unstressed syllables.

7. Grammatical Role: "Quasi-respectable" functions primarily as an adjective. The syllabification and stress pattern remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Appearing or claiming to be respectable but not genuinely so; superficially respectable.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: superficially respectable, pseudo-respectable, ostentatiously respectable, seemingly respectable.
• Antonyms: genuinely respectable, truly respectable, honorable, upright.
• Examples: "He was a quasi-respectable businessman with a shady past." "The hotel had a quasi-respectable air, despite its dilapidated condition."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Improbable: im-prob-a-ble - Similar syllable structure (CVC-CVC-CVC-CVC). Stress falls on the second syllable. The difference lies in the vowel sounds and the initial consonant clusters.
• Incredible: in-cred-i-ble - Similar syllable structure (CVC-CVC-CVC-CVC). Stress falls on the second syllable. The difference lies in the vowel sounds and the initial consonant clusters.
• Unbelievable: un-be-liev-a-ble - Similar syllable structure (CVC-CVC-CVC-CVC). Stress falls on the third syllable. The difference lies in the initial consonant cluster and the vowel sounds.

Syllable Breakdown Details:

• qua-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel sounds carry their own syllable.
• si-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel sounds carry their own syllable.
• re-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel sounds carry their own syllable.
• spec-: Closed syllable, ending in a consonant. Rule: Consonant sounds close the syllable.
• ta-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel sounds carry their own syllable.
• ble: Closed syllable, ending in a consonant. Rule: Consonant sounds close the syllable.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

• The 'i' in 'quasi' is often pronounced as /iː/ in British English, creating a diphthong.
• The final syllable '-ble' is often syllabified as a single unit due to the common occurrence of this ending.

Division Rules Applied:

• Vowel Rule: Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
• Consonant Rule: Consonant sounds typically close a syllable.
• Onset-Rime Rule: Syllables are often structured as onset (initial consonant sounds) and rime (vowel and following consonants).