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Hyphenation ofcomprehensibility

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

com-pre-hen-si-bil-i-ty

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

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbɪlɪti/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0000001

Primary stress falls on the final syllable ('ty'), creating a rhythmic pattern typical of English words with multiple suffixes.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

com/kɒm/

Open syllable, unstressed.

pre/prɪ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

hen/hɛn/

Open syllable, unstressed.

si/sɪ/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

bil/bɪl/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

i/ɪ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ty/ti/

Closed syllable, stressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

com-(prefix)
+
prehend(root)
+
-en-si-bil-ity(suffix)

Prefix: com-

Latin, meaning 'with' or 'together', intensifier.

Root: prehend

Latin, meaning 'to grasp, seize, understand'.

Suffix: -en-si-bil-ity

Latin-derived suffixes: -en (adjectival), -si (nominalizing), -bil (capability), -ity (nominalizing).

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The quality of being comprehensible; the ease with which something can be understood.

Examples:

"The teacher assessed the students' level of comprehensibility regarding the complex topic."

"The comprehensibility of the instructions was crucial for the success of the experiment."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

responsibilityre-spon-si-bil-i-ty

Shares the '-ibility' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

accessibilityac-ces-si-bil-i-ty

Shares the '-ibility' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

possibilitypos-si-bil-i-ty

Shares the '-ibility' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Rule

Each syllable generally contains one vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are split when necessary to maintain syllable structure.

Stress-Timing Rule

English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable prominence and duration.

Special Considerations

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

The multiple suffixes and the length of the root word contribute to the complexity of the syllable division.

The syllable division aims to balance phonetic plausibility with orthographic representation.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'comprehensibility' is divided into seven syllables: com-pre-hen-si-bil-i-ty. The primary stress falls on the final syllable ('ty'). It's a noun derived from Latin roots and suffixes, denoting the quality of being understandable. Syllable division follows vowel and consonant cluster rules, considering the word's stress-timed nature.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "comprehensibility"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "comprehensibility" is pronounced /ˌkɒmprɪˌhɛnsɪˈbɪlɪti/ in US English. It features multiple syllables and a complex structure.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: com-pre-hen-si-bil-i-ty.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: com- (Latin, meaning "with" or "together") - functions as an intensifier.
  • Root: prehend (Latin, meaning "to grasp, seize, understand") - the core meaning of understanding.
  • Suffix: -en- (Latin, adjectival suffix) - forms an adjective.
  • Suffix: -si- (Latin, nominalizing suffix) - forms a noun.
  • Suffix: -bil- (Latin, capability suffix) - indicates ability or possibility.
  • Suffix: -ity (Latin, nominalizing suffix) - forms an abstract noun.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /ˌkɒmprɪˌhɛnsɪˈbɪlɪti/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbɪlɪti/

6. Edge Case Review:

The word contains multiple suffixes, which can sometimes lead to ambiguity in syllable division. However, the vowel sounds within the suffixes clearly delineate the syllable boundaries.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Comprehensibility" primarily functions as a noun. While it's derived from the verb "comprehend," its grammatical role doesn't significantly alter the syllable division or stress pattern.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The quality of being comprehensible; the ease with which something can be understood.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: understandability, clarity, intelligibility, perceptibility
  • Antonyms: obscurity, incomprehensibility, ambiguity
  • Examples: "The teacher assessed the students' level of comprehensibility regarding the complex topic." "The comprehensibility of the instructions was crucial for the success of the experiment."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty - Similar suffix structure (-ibility). Stress falls on the third syllable.
  • Accessibility: ac-ces-si-bil-i-ty - Similar suffix structure (-ibility). Stress falls on the third syllable.
  • Possibility: pos-si-bil-i-ty - Similar suffix structure (-ibility). Stress falls on the third syllable.

The consistent stress pattern on the antepenultimate syllable in these words highlights a common feature of words ending in "-ibility." "Comprehensibility" deviates slightly due to the length and complexity of the preceding root, shifting the stress one syllable forward.

10. Division Rules:

  • Vowel Rule: Each syllable generally contains one vowel sound.
  • Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are often split, but attempts are made to keep affixes intact.
  • Stress-Timing Rule: English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable prominence.

11. Special Considerations:

The presence of multiple suffixes and the length of the root word make this a complex case. The syllable division aims to balance phonetic plausibility with orthographic representation.

12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents the most common US English pronunciation, slight variations may occur in British English or other dialects. These variations would likely affect the vowel qualities but not the fundamental syllable division.

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

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

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.