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Hyphenation ofcontrarevolutionary

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

con-tra-re-vo-lu-tion-ar-y

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

/ˌkɒntrəˈrevəˌluːʃənəri/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001001

Primary stress falls on the fifth syllable ('lu'). The stress pattern is typical for words with multiple prefixes and suffixes.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

con/kɒn/

Open syllable, onset-rime structure.

tra/trə/

Open syllable, onset-rime structure.

re/rɛ/

Open syllable, onset-rime structure.

vo/voʊ/

Open syllable, onset-rime structure.

lu/luː/

Open syllable, stressed syllable.

tion/ʃən/

Syllabic consonant, /t/ often reduced.

ar/ər/

Open syllable, onset-rime structure.

y/əri/

Weak syllable, often reduced to schwa.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

contra-(prefix)
+
revolut-(root)
+
-ion(suffix)

Prefix: contra-

Latin origin, meaning 'against, opposite'

Root: revolut-

Latin origin, from 'revolvere' meaning 'to roll back, overturn'

Suffix: -ion

Latin origin, forming abstract nouns

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Opposed to or seeking to reverse a revolution.

Examples:

"The government suppressed the contrarevolutionary movement."

noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A person who opposes a revolution.

Examples:

"He was labeled a contrarevolutionary by the new regime."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

revolutionaryrev-o-lu-tion-ar-y

Shares the 'lutionary' suffix and similar stress pattern.

evolutionarye-vo-lu-tion-ar-y

Shares the 'lutionary' suffix and similar stress pattern.

conservativecon-ser-va-tive

Shares the 'con-' prefix, but different root and stress.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset-Rime

Dividing syllables based on the onset (initial consonant sound) and rime (vowel and following consonants).

Maximum Onset Principle

Assigning as many consonants as possible to the onset of a syllable.

Syllabic Consonant

Recognizing consonants that can form the nucleus of a syllable.

Special Considerations

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

The 't' in 'contra' can be slightly aspirated.

The 'tion' sequence is a common syllabic consonant cluster.

The final 'y' is often reduced to a schwa sound.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'contrarevolutionary' is divided into eight syllables: con-tra-re-vo-lu-tion-ar-y. It features a Latin-derived prefix ('contra-'), root ('revolut-'), and suffixes ('-ion', '-ary'). The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable ('lu'). Syllabification follows standard English rules of onset-rime structure and the maximum onset principle.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "contrarevolutionary"

1. Pronunciation: The word "contrarevolutionary" is pronounced /ˌkɒntrəˈrevəˌluːʃənəri/ in US English.

2. Syllable Division: con-tra-re-vo-lu-tion-ar-y

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: contra- (Latin, meaning "against, opposite") - denotes opposition.
  • Root: revolut- (Latin, from revolvere meaning "to roll back, overturn") - core meaning of revolution.
  • Suffix: -ion (Latin, forming abstract nouns) - creates a noun of action or state.
  • Suffix: -ary (Latin, forming adjectives relating to a thing) - creates an adjective meaning "relating to revolution".

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable: /ˌkɒntrəˈrevəˌluːʃənəri/.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌkɒntrəˈrevəˌluːʃənəri/

6. Edge Case Review: The sequence of vowels in "contra" can sometimes lead to reduced vowel sounds, but the standard pronunciation maintains distinct vowel qualities. The 'tion' sequence is a common syllabic consonant cluster.

7. Grammatical Role: "Contrarevolutionary" primarily functions as an adjective. As an adjective, the stress pattern remains consistent. It can also function as a noun, referring to a person holding such beliefs. The stress pattern remains the same in both cases.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Opposed to or seeking to reverse a revolution.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective, Noun
  • Synonyms: reactionary, counterrevolutionary
  • Antonyms: revolutionary, progressive
  • Examples: "The government suppressed the contrarevolutionary movement." "He was labeled a contrarevolutionary by the new regime."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Revolutionary: rev-o-lu-tion-ar-y - Similar syllable structure, stress on the 'lu' syllable. The 'contra' prefix adds complexity.
  • Evolutionary: e-vo-lu-tion-ar-y - Similar root and suffix structure, stress on the 'lu' syllable.
  • Conservative: con-ser-va-tive - Shares the 'con-' prefix, but a different root and stress pattern.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • con: /kɒn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No special cases.
  • tra: /trə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No special cases.
  • re: /rɛ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No special cases.
  • vo: /voʊ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No special cases.
  • lu: /luː/ - Open syllable, stressed. Rule: Maximum Onset Principle (allowing 'l' as onset). Stress assignment based on lexical rules.
  • tion: /ʃən/ - Syllabic consonant. Rule: Consonant-vowel-consonant structure with syllabic /ʃ/. Special case: /t/ is often silent or reduced.
  • ar: /ər/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No special cases.
  • y: /əri/ - Weak syllable. Rule: Coda-less syllable. Special case: often reduced to a schwa.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

  • The 't' in 'contra' can be slightly aspirated, but doesn't affect syllabification.
  • The 'tion' sequence is a common syllabic consonant cluster, requiring special consideration.
  • The final 'y' is often reduced to a schwa sound.

Division Rules:

  • Onset-Rime: The most common rule, dividing syllables based on the onset (initial consonant sound) and rime (vowel and following consonants).
  • Maximum Onset Principle: Assigning as many consonants as possible to the onset of a syllable.
  • Syllabic Consonant: Recognizing consonants that can form the nucleus of a syllable (e.g., /l/, /m/, /n/, /r/, /ʃ/).
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/6/2025

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