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Hyphenation ofcross-interrogate

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

cross-in-ter-ro-gate

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

/ˌkrɒs ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

10101

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('ro'), and secondary stress on the first syllable ('cross').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

cross/krɒs/

Closed syllable, initial consonant cluster.

in/ɪn/

Closed syllable, nasal consonant ending.

ter/tɛr/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster ending.

ro/roʊ/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

gate/ɡeɪt/

Closed syllable, diphthong followed by consonant cluster.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

cross-(prefix)
+
interrog-(root)
+
-ate(suffix)

Prefix: cross-

Old English, denoting 'across' or 'thoroughly'.

Root: interrog-

Latin *interrogare* - 'to question'.

Suffix: -ate

Latin *-atus*, verb-forming suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
verb(grammatical role in sentences)

To question someone thoroughly and repeatedly, often in a challenging or aggressive manner.

Examples:

"The detective cross-interrogated the suspect for hours."

"She was cross-interrogated by the lawyers during the trial."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

investigatein-ves-ti-gate

Similar structure with a prefix and root, demonstrating consistent syllabification of the root.

interrogatein-ter-ro-gate

Shares the root 'interrog-', demonstrating consistent syllabification of that morpheme.

crosswalkcross-walk

Demonstrates the 'cross-' prefix functioning similarly in a different context.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant (VC)

Syllables often end in vowels, but not always. Consonants following vowels typically form the end of a syllable.

Consonant Clusters

Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are easily separable by pronunciation.

Morpheme Boundaries

Morpheme boundaries can influence syllable division, but are not always strict dividers.

Stress Placement

Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect perceived boundaries.

Special Considerations

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

The compound nature of the word (prefix + root + suffix) requires careful consideration of morpheme boundaries.

Regional variations in pronunciation might slightly alter syllable boundaries, but the core division remains consistent.

The 'ss' in 'cross' does not automatically create a syllable break.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'cross-interrogate' is divided into five syllables: cross-in-ter-ro-gate. It consists of the prefix 'cross-', the root 'interrog-', and the suffix '-ate'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('ro'). Syllabification follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns and morpheme boundaries.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "cross-interrogate"

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced as /ˌkrɒs ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt/.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: cross-in-ter-ro-gate

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: cross- (Old English, denoting 'across' or 'trans-' - functioning here to indicate thoroughness or repetition)
  • Root: interrog- (Latin interrogare - 'to question')
  • Suffix: -ate (Latin -atus, forming a verb from a noun or stem)

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the third syllable: in-ter-ro-gate. Secondary stress falls on the first syllable: cross-in-ter-ro-gate.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌkrɒs ɪnˈtɛrəˌɡeɪt/

6. Edge Case Review: The compound nature of the prefix and root requires careful consideration. The 'ss' in 'cross' doesn't automatically create a syllable boundary.

7. Grammatical Role: "Cross-interrogate" functions solely as a verb. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of tense or aspect.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: To question someone thoroughly and repeatedly, often in a challenging or aggressive manner.
  • Grammatical Category: Verb
  • Synonyms: interrogate, question, examine, grill, probe
  • Antonyms: answer, respond, conceal, withhold
  • Examples: "The detective cross-interrogated the suspect for hours." "She was cross-interrogated by the lawyers during the trial."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Investigate: in-ves-ti-gate (4 syllables, stress on -gate). Similar structure with a prefix and root, but 'in-' is a different prefix.
  • Interrogate: in-ter-ro-gate (4 syllables, stress on -ro-). Shares the root 'interrog-', demonstrating consistent syllabification of that morpheme.
  • Crosswalk: cross-walk (2 syllables, stress on cross). Demonstrates the 'cross-' prefix functioning similarly in a different context.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • cross: /krɒs/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster 'cr' followed by a vowel. Potential exception: Some speakers might briefly pause between 'cross' and 'in', but it's generally considered a single prosodic unit.
  • in: /ɪn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a nasal consonant.
  • ter: /tɛr/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster 'ter' following a vowel.
  • ro: /roʊ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant.
  • gate: /ɡeɪt/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant cluster 'gt'.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Consonant (VC): Syllables often end in vowels, but not always.
  2. Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are easily separable by pronunciation.
  3. Morpheme Boundaries: Morpheme boundaries can influence syllable division, but are not always strict dividers.
  4. Stress Placement: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect perceived boundaries.

Special Considerations:

  • The compound nature of the word (prefix + root + suffix) requires careful consideration of morpheme boundaries.
  • Regional variations in pronunciation might slightly alter syllable boundaries, but the core division remains consistent.
  • The 'ss' in 'cross' does not automatically create a syllable break.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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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.