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Hyphenation ofsuperdelicateness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

su-per-de-li-ca-te-ness

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

/ˌsuːpə(r)ˈdɛlɪkətɪsnəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0010000

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('li'), indicated by '1'. Other syllables are unstressed ('0').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

su/suː/

Open syllable, onset 's', nucleus 'u'

per/pə(r)/

Open syllable, onset 'p', nucleus 'e', potential post-vocalic 'r' reduction

de/dɛ/

Open syllable, onset 'd', nucleus 'e'

li/ˈlɪ/

Closed syllable, onset 'l', nucleus 'i', primary stress

ca/kə/

Open syllable, onset 'c', nucleus 'a'

te/tɪ/

Closed syllable, onset 't', nucleus 'i'

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable, onset 'n', nucleus 'ə'

Morphemic Breakdown

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

super-(prefix)
+
delicate(root)
+
-ness(suffix)

Prefix: super-

Latin origin, intensifier

Root: delicate

Latin origin, core meaning of fineness

Suffix: -ness

Old English origin, noun-forming suffix

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The quality of being extremely delicate; exquisite sensitivity.

Examples:

"The superdelicateness of the porcelain was remarkable."

"Her superdelicateness made her easily hurt."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

happinesshap-pi-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix and similar syllable structure.

beautifulnessbeau-ti-ful-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix and a complex morphological structure.

delicacydel-i-ca-cy

Shares the root 'delicate' and similar syllable division patterns.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset-Rime

Syllables are divided based on the consonant-vowel boundary, identifying the onset (initial consonant(s)) and rime (vowel and following consonants).

Sonority Sequencing Principle

Consonants within the onset and coda are arranged in order of decreasing sonority.

Special Considerations

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

Potential reduction or elision of the post-vocalic 'r' in 'per'.

The complex morphology of the word requires careful consideration of morpheme boundaries.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'superdelicateness' is divided into seven syllables: su-per-de-li-ca-te-ness. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('li'). It is a noun formed from the root 'delicate' with the prefix 'super-' and the suffix '-ness'. Syllable division follows standard English onset-rime principles.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "superdelicateness" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "superdelicateness" is a complex noun formed through multiple affixations. Pronunciation in GB English will generally follow standard Received Pronunciation (RP) or a similar accent. The vowel sounds will be relatively clear and distinct.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllable division rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: super- (Latin, meaning "above," "over," or "excessively") - Function: Intensifier.
  • Root: delicate- (Latin delicatus, past participle of delicare "to entice, charm, delight") - Function: Core meaning relating to fineness, sensitivity, or exquisiteness.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes, from *-nessu) - Function: Noun-forming suffix, indicating a state or quality.
  • Suffix: -ate (Latin, adjectival suffix) - Function: Forms an adjective from a noun or verb.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes, from *-nessu) - Function: Noun-forming suffix, indicating a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: su-per-de-li-ca-te-ness.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌsuːpə(r)ˈdɛlɪkətɪsnəs/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Syllable IPA Transcription Rule Explanation Potential Exceptions
su- /suː/ Onset-Rime: 's' is the onset, 'u' is the nucleus, forming an open syllable. None
per /pə(r)/ Onset-Rime: 'p' is the onset, 'e' is the nucleus, forming an open syllable. The 'r' is a post-vocalic rhotic, often reduced or elided in RP. Post-vocalic 'r' reduction/elision.
de- /dɛ/ Onset-Rime: 'd' is the onset, 'e' is the nucleus, forming an open syllable. None
li- /ˈlɪ/ Onset-Rime: 'l' is the onset, 'i' is the nucleus, forming a closed syllable. Primary stress. None
ca- /kə/ Onset-Rime: 'c' is the onset, 'a' is the nucleus, forming an open syllable. None
te- /tɪ/ Onset-Rime: 't' is the onset, 'i' is the nucleus, forming a closed syllable. None
ness /nəs/ Onset-Rime: 'n' is the onset, 'ə' is the nucleus, forming a closed syllable. None

7. Syllable Division Rules Applied:

  • Onset-Rime: The most fundamental rule, dividing syllables based on the consonant-vowel boundary.
  • Sonority Sequencing Principle: Consonants are arranged in order of decreasing sonority within the onset and coda.
  • Stress Assignment: Stress is assigned based on a complex interplay of factors, including syllable weight and morphological structure.

8. Exceptions & Special Cases:

The post-vocalic 'r' in "per" can be reduced or elided in some accents, affecting the syllable's perceived length. The complex morphology of the word requires careful consideration of morpheme boundaries.

9. Grammatical Role & Syllabification:

The word primarily functions as a noun. While it could theoretically be used adjectivally (e.g., "superdelicateness of the flavour"), the syllabification would remain the same.

10. Alternative Pronunciations & Regional Variations:

Some speakers might pronounce the 'r' in "super" more strongly, potentially affecting the syllable division perception. Regional accents may also influence vowel quality and stress placement.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar structure with a suffix "-ness". Stress pattern differs.
  • beautifulness: beau-ti-ful-ness - Longer word with more syllables, but shares the "-ness" suffix.
  • delicacy: del-i-ca-cy - Shares the root "delicate" but is shorter and has a different suffix.

The syllable division in "superdelicateness" is consistent with these similar words, following the same onset-rime principles and suffix attachment patterns. The primary difference lies in the length and complexity of the word, leading to a greater number of syllables.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.