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Hyphenation ofuncontemplatively

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

un-con-tem-pla-tiv-e-ly

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

/ʌn.kɒnˈtɛm.plə.tɪv.li/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0010001

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('tem'). The stress pattern is typical for adverbs derived from adjectives with the '-atively' suffix.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

un/ʌn/

Open syllable, unstressed.

con/kɒn/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

tem/tɛm/

Closed syllable, stressed.

pla/plə/

Open syllable, unstressed.

tiv/tɪv/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

e/i/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ly/li/

Open syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

un-(prefix)
+
temp-(root)
+
-contemplatively(suffix)

Prefix: un-

Old English, negation

Root: temp-

Latin *tempus* - time, consideration

Suffix: -contemplatively

Latin and Old English origins, forming adverb from verb

Meanings & Definitions
adverb(grammatical role in sentences)

In a manner showing a lack of thought or consideration; without reflection.

Examples:

"He acted uncontemplatively, regretting his decision immediately."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

alternativelyal-ter-na-tiv-ly

Similar suffixation (*-ly*), complex morphology.

considerativelycon-sid-er-a-tiv-ly

Similar suffixation (*-ly*, *-ative*), comparable syllable structure.

contemplativelycon-tem-pla-tiv-ly

Shares the root 'templ', similar suffixation, comparable syllable structure.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant-Consonant (VCC) Rule

Syllables are often divided before a consonant cluster following a vowel (e.g., 'tem-pla').

Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule

Syllables are divided before a consonant following a vowel (e.g., 'un-con').

Open Syllable Rule

Syllables ending in a vowel are generally open (e.g., 'e').

Special Considerations

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

The word's length and complex morphology require careful consideration of stress placement and vowel quality.

The schwa sound /ə/ in the 'e' syllable is common in unstressed positions.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'uncontemplatively' is divided into seven syllables: un-con-tem-pla-tiv-e-ly. It is an adverb formed through prefixation ('un-') and suffixation ('-atively', '-ly') of a Latin-derived root ('temp-'). The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('tem'). Syllable division follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "uncontemplatively" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "uncontemplatively" is a complex adverb formed through multiple affixations. Its pronunciation in GB English is generally /ʌn.kɒnˈtɛm.plə.tɪv.li/. The stress falls on the third syllable ("tem").

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: un-con-tem-pla-tiv-e-ly

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
  • Root: temp- (Latin tempus - time) - Relating to time, consideration.
  • Suffixes:
    • -contempl- (Latin contemplare - to consider) - Forming the verb stem.
    • -ative (Latin -ativus) - Adjective suffix, forming an adjective from a verb.
    • -ly (Old English -lice) - Adverbial suffix, converting an adjective into an adverb.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: un-con-tem-pla-tiv-e-ly.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌn.kɒnˈtɛm.plə.tɪv.li/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "templ" is a potential area for mis-syllabification. However, the stress pattern and the presence of the vowel "e" in the following syllable dictate the division as "tem-pla".

7. Grammatical Role:

"Uncontemplatively" functions solely as an adverb. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of context.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: In a manner showing a lack of thought or consideration; without reflection.
  • Grammatical Category: Adverb
  • Synonyms: thoughtlessly, heedlessly, carelessly, impulsively.
  • Antonyms: deliberately, thoughtfully, consciously, reflectively.
  • Examples: "He acted uncontemplatively, regretting his decision immediately."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Alternatively: al-ter-na-tiv-ly (5 syllables) - Similar suffixation (-ly), stress on the second syllable.
  • Consideratively: con-sid-er-a-tiv-ly (6 syllables) - Similar suffixation (-ly, -ative), stress on the third syllable.
  • Contemplatively: con-tem-pla-tiv-ly (5 syllables) - Shares the root "templ", stress on the third syllable.

The differences in syllable count arise from the presence or absence of prefixes and the length of the root morpheme. The consistent stress on a syllable containing a vowel followed by a consonant and another vowel (CVC) pattern is a common feature.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
un /ʌn/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel followed by consonant None
con /kɒn/ Closed syllable, unstressed Consonant cluster followed by vowel None
tem /tɛm/ Closed syllable, stressed Vowel surrounded by consonants, stress placement None
pla /plə/ Open syllable, unstressed Consonant cluster followed by vowel None
tiv /tɪv/ Closed syllable, unstressed Vowel followed by consonant None
e /i/ Open syllable, unstressed Schwa vowel None
ly /li/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel followed by consonant None

Division Rules Applied:

  • Vowel-Consonant-Consonant (VCC) Rule: Syllables are often divided before a consonant cluster following a vowel (e.g., "tem-pla").
  • Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule: Syllables are divided before a consonant following a vowel (e.g., "un-con").
  • Open Syllable Rule: Syllables ending in a vowel are generally open (e.g., "e").

Special Considerations:

The word's length and complex morphology require careful consideration of stress placement and vowel quality. The schwa sound /ə/ in the "e" syllable is common in unstressed positions.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents standard GB English, slight variations in vowel quality may occur depending on regional accents. However, these variations do not significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

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