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Hyphenation ofgreat-mindedness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

gre-at-mind-ed-ness

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

/ˌɡreɪt ˈmaɪndɪdnəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

01001

Primary stress falls on the second syllable ('mind'). The first syllable ('great') receives secondary stress.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

gre/ɡreɪ/

Open syllable, diphthong.

at/æt/

Closed syllable.

mind/maɪnd/

Closed syllable, diphthong.

ed/ɪd/

Closed syllable.

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

great(prefix)
+
mind(root)
+
ed(suffix)

Prefix: great

Old English origin, adjectival modifier.

Root: mind

Old English origin, noun root.

Suffix: ed

Old English origin, past tense/participle marker, functioning adjectivally.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The quality or state of being intelligent, thoughtful, and noble in character.

Examples:

"Her great-mindedness was evident in her willingness to help others."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

kindnesskin-dness

Similar structure with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix.

brightnessbright-ness

Similar structure with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix.

weaknessweak-ness

Similar structure with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-CVC Rule

Syllables are generally formed around vowel sounds, with consonants grouped to maximize onsets.

Vowel-C Rule

Syllables end when a vowel is followed by a consonant.

Special Considerations

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

The compound adjective 'great-minded' functions as a single unit before the addition of the suffix.

The 'ed' suffix pronunciation can vary depending on the preceding sound.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'great-mindedness' is divided into five syllables: gre-at-mind-ed-ness. It consists of the prefix 'great-', the root 'mind-', and the suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Primary stress falls on the second syllable ('mind'). The syllable division follows vowel-centric rules, maximizing onsets and respecting vowel sounds.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "great-mindedness" (US English)

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "great-mindedness" is pronounced as /ˌɡreɪt ˈmaɪndɪdnəs/ in General American English. It exhibits a complex structure due to its compound nature and multiple morphemes.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and respecting vowel sounds, is: gre-at-mind-ed-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: great- (Old English grēat, meaning "large, significant"). Adjectival modifier.
  • Root: mind- (Old English ge-mōd, Proto-Germanic mindaz meaning "intellect, thought"). Noun root.
  • Suffix: -ed- (Old English -ed, past tense/participle marker). Verbal suffix, here functioning adjectivally.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes, from -nessu). Noun-forming suffix, creating an abstract noun.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the second syllable: /ˌɡreɪt ˈmaɪndɪdnəs/. The first syllable receives secondary stress.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌɡreɪt ˈmaɪndɪdnəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The hyphenated nature of "great-minded" initially presents a potential division point. However, the compound functions as a single adjectival unit modifying "ness," thus the division follows the vowel sounds within the combined unit.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Great-mindedness" functions solely as a noun. There are no syllable or stress shifts based on different parts of speech.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The quality or state of being intelligent, thoughtful, and noble in character.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: intelligence, thoughtfulness, wisdom, nobility, magnanimity.
  • Antonyms: narrow-mindedness, selfishness, ignorance.
  • Example Usage: "Her great-mindedness was evident in her willingness to help others."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Kindness: kin-dness - Similar structure with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix. Stress falls on the first syllable.
  • Brightness: bright-ness - Similar structure, with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix. Stress falls on the first syllable.
  • Weakness: weak-ness - Similar structure, with a monosyllabic root and a noun-forming suffix. Stress falls on the first syllable.

The difference in stress placement in "great-mindedness" (second syllable) compared to the others (first syllable) is due to the compound adjective "great-minded" functioning as a single unit before the addition of the "-ness" suffix. The compound carries its own stress pattern.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
gre /ɡreɪ/ Open syllable, diphthong Vowel-CVC rule. Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. None
at /æt/ Closed syllable Vowel-C rule. Syllable ends in a consonant. None
mind /maɪnd/ Closed syllable, diphthong Vowel-CVC rule. Syllable ends in a consonant. None
ed /ɪd/ Closed syllable Vowel-C rule. Syllable ends in a consonant. The 'ed' suffix can sometimes be pronounced /t/ or /d/ depending on the preceding sound.
ness /nəs/ Closed syllable Vowel-C rule. Syllable ends in a consonant. None

Division Rules Applied:

  • Vowel-CVC Rule: Syllables are generally formed around vowel sounds, with consonants grouped to maximize onsets.
  • Vowel-C Rule: Syllables end when a vowel is followed by a consonant.

Special Considerations:

The compound adjective "great-minded" could be considered a potential point of division, but the word functions as a single unit before the addition of the suffix.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., the /eɪ/ in "great") might exist, but they do not significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/13/2025

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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.