Hyphenation ofsingle-mindedness
Syllable Division:
sin-gle-mind-ed-ness
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˈsɪŋɡəlˌmaɪndɪdnəs/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
10010
Primary stress falls on the first syllable ('sin'). Secondary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('ed').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant cluster.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: single-
Old English *singul*, from Latin *singulus* - 'one each, individual'. Modifies the root.
Root: mind-
Old English *ge-mind*, from Proto-Germanic *gamen-*. Core meaning relating to thought.
Suffix: -ed
Old English *-ed*. Functions adjectivally.
The quality of being determined to achieve one goal; resolute focus.
Examples:
"Her single-mindedness helped her overcome all obstacles."
"He approached the task with impressive single-mindedness."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar structure with a compound word and the '-ness' suffix.
Shares the '-ness' suffix and similar vowel-consonant patterns.
Contains a '-ing' suffix, but syllable division principles are consistent.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Open Syllable
A syllable ending in a vowel sound (e.g., 'sin').
Closed Syllable
A syllable ending in a consonant sound (e.g., 'gle', 'mind').
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The '-ed' suffix is typically unstressed, but maintains a distinct syllable here due to the following '-ness' suffix.
Potential vowel reduction in 'single' in some dialects.
Summary:
The word 'single-mindedness' is divided into five syllables: sin-gle-mind-ed-ness. It consists of the prefix 'single-', root 'mind-', and suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Primary stress falls on the first syllable. Syllable division follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "single-mindedness" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation:
The word "single-mindedness" is pronounced in Received Pronunciation (RP) as /ˈsɪŋɡəlˌmaɪndɪdnəs/.
2. Syllable Division:
The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: sin-gle-mind-ed-ness
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: single- (Old English singul, from Latin singulus - 'one each, individual'). Function: Modifies the root, indicating a solitary or unified quality.
- Root: mind- (Old English ge-mind, from Proto-Germanic gamen-, related to mēn 'mind'). Function: Core meaning relating to thought, intellect, or purpose.
- Suffix: -ed (Old English -ed). Function: Past tense/past participle marker, but here functions adjectivally, creating a participial adjective.
- Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes, from Proto-Germanic -nass). Function: Noun-forming suffix, denoting a state or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the first syllable: /ˈsɪŋɡəlˌmaɪndɪdnəs/. There is secondary stress on the fourth syllable.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˈsɪŋɡəlˌmaɪndɪdnəs/
6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:
- sin- /sɪn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant. No exceptions.
- gle- /ɡəl/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant cluster. Potential exception: 'gle' can sometimes be considered a glide, but here it functions as a distinct syllable due to the preceding 'sin'.
- mind- /maɪnd/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant cluster. No exceptions.
- ed- /ɪd/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant. No exceptions.
- ness /nəs/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant cluster. No exceptions.
7. Edge Case Review:
The "-ed" suffix can sometimes be unstressed and elided, but in this case, it maintains a distinct syllable due to the following "ness" suffix.
8. Grammatical Role:
"Single-mindedness" functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical context (as it's a fixed form).
9. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality of being determined to achieve one goal; resolute focus.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: determination, resolve, purposefulness, dedication, tenacity.
- Antonyms: indecision, wavering, fickleness, ambiguity.
- Examples: "Her single-mindedness helped her overcome all obstacles." "He approached the task with impressive single-mindedness."
10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "single" to a schwa /sɪŋɡəl/ becoming /sɪŋɡəˌmaɪndɪdnəs/. This doesn't significantly alter the syllable division.
11. Phonological Comparison:
- happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar structure with a compound word and the "-ness" suffix. Syllable division follows the same rules.
- kindness: kind-ness - Simpler structure, but shares the "-ness" suffix and similar vowel-consonant patterns.
- willingness: will-ing-ness - Contains a "-ing" suffix, but the overall syllable division principles are consistent with "single-mindedness". The presence of consonant clusters dictates syllable boundaries.
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