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Hyphenation ofunneighborliness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

un-neigh-bor-li-ness

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

/ʌnˈneɪbəˌlɪnəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00100

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('bor'). The first, second, fourth and fifth syllables are unstressed.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

un/ʌn/

Open syllable, containing a vowel and a consonant.

neigh/neɪ/

Open syllable, containing a diphthong and a consonant.

bor/bɔː/

Closed syllable, containing a vowel and a consonant. 'gh' is silent.

li/lɪ/

Open syllable, containing a vowel and a consonant.

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable, containing a vowel and a consonant.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

un-(prefix)
+
neighbor(root)
+
-liness(suffix)

Prefix: un-

Old English origin, denotes negation.

Root: neighbor

Middle English from Old French, meaning 'one living near'.

Suffix: -liness

Old English origin, forms abstract nouns denoting a state or quality.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The quality or state of being unfriendly or unwelcoming.

Examples:

"Her unneighborliness was evident in her refusal to help with the community garden."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

happinesshap-pi-ness

Shares a similar suffix structure and stress pattern.

kindnesskind-ness

Shares the -ness suffix and a simple syllable structure.

friendlinessfriend-li-ness

Similar length and structure, with the -liness suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are generally divided after a vowel sound, especially when followed by a consonant.

Maximize Onsets

Consonant clusters are typically kept together at the beginning of a syllable (onset).

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Consonants are not left alone to begin a syllable unless necessary.

Special Considerations

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

The silent 'gh' in 'neighbor' affects the orthographic syllable division but not the phonetic structure.

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation may exist but do not alter the core syllable division.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'unneighborliness' is divided into five syllables: un-neigh-bor-li-ness. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('bor'). It's morphologically complex, consisting of the prefix 'un-', the root 'neighbor', and the suffix '-liness'. The silent 'gh' is a key orthographic consideration.

Detailed Analysis:

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

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "unneighborliness" presents challenges due to its length and complex morphology. Pronunciation in GB English will generally follow standard Received Pronunciation (RP) or a similar accent, with potential regional variations. The 'gh' digraph is silent in most GB pronunciations.

2. Syllable Division:

Applying English syllable division rules, which prioritize maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, we arrive at the following division.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
  • Root: neighbor (Middle English from Old French neighbore) - One living near another; a person or thing located nearby.
  • Suffix: -liness (Old English -nesse) - Forming abstract nouns denoting a state, quality, or manner.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: un-neigh-bor-li-ness.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌnˈneɪbəˌlɪnəs/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

  • un-: /ʌn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.
  • neigh-: /neɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) forms an open syllable. No exceptions.
  • bor-: /ˈbɔː/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant that is not part of a consonant cluster at the end of the syllable. Exception: The 'gh' is silent, affecting the perceived syllable structure.
  • li-: /lɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). No exceptions.
  • ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant. No exceptions.

7. Edge Case Review:

The silent 'gh' in "neighbor" is a key edge case. It doesn't contribute to the phonetic structure but affects the orthographic syllable division.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Unneighborliness" functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The quality or state of being unfriendly or unwelcoming.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: unfriendliness, hostility, coldness, aloofness
  • Antonyms: friendliness, sociability, warmth, hospitality
  • Examples: "Her unneighborliness was evident in her refusal to help with the community garden."

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some regional variations might exhibit slight vowel differences (e.g., /æ/ instead of /ʌ/ in "un-"). However, these variations do not significantly alter the syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar structure with a suffix. Stress pattern is also comparable.
  • kindness: kind-ness - Shorter, but shares the -ness suffix and similar syllable structure.
  • friendliness: friend-li-ness - Similar length and structure, with the -liness suffix. The initial consonant cluster is different, but the overall pattern is comparable.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/10/2025

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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.