Hyphenation ofcross-interrogate

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.