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Hyphenation ofindiscriminating

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

in-dis-crim-i-nat-ing

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

/ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

001010

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('crim'). The first and fourth syllables are unstressed, while the second, fifth and sixth syllables receive secondary or reduced stress.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

in/ɪn/

Closed syllable, single vowel followed by a consonant.

dis/dɪs/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant structure.

crim/krɪm/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster followed by a vowel and consonant.

i/ɪ/

Open syllable, single vowel sound.

nat/neɪt/

Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.

ing/tɪŋ/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant structure.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

in-(prefix)
+
discern(root)
+
-ating(suffix)

Prefix: in-

Old English, negating prefix meaning 'not'.

Root: discern

Latin *discernere* - to separate, distinguish.

Suffix: -ating

Latin, forming the present participle of a verb.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Not able to distinguish between things; lacking good judgment.

Examples:

"His indiscriminate taste in music was surprising."

"The judge was criticized for his indiscriminate sentencing."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

discriminatingdis-crim-i-nat-ing

Shares the same root and suffix, exhibiting similar syllable structure and stress pattern.

communicatingcom-mu-ni-cat-ing

Shares the '-ating' suffix, demonstrating a similar syllabic ending and stress placement.

illuminatingil-lu-mi-nat-ing

Shares the '-ating' suffix, exhibiting a comparable syllabic structure and stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant (VC)

Syllables typically end with a vowel sound followed by a consonant.

Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC)

Common syllable structure consisting of a consonant, vowel, and consonant.

Consonant Cluster Preservation

Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable to maintain phonological integrity.

Special Considerations

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

The 'scrim' cluster could potentially be divided, but the rule of preserving consonant clusters takes precedence.

Regional variations in pronunciation might slightly alter syllable boundaries, but the overall structure remains consistent.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'indiscriminating' is divided into six syllables: in-dis-crim-i-nat-ing. It consists of the prefix 'in-', the root 'discern', and the suffix '-ating'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('crim'). Syllabification follows standard US English rules, prioritizing vowel-consonant and consonant-vowel-consonant patterns while preserving consonant clusters.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "indiscriminating"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "indiscriminating" is pronounced /ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/ in US English. It features a complex structure with multiple vowels and consonants, requiring careful syllabification.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters): in-dis-crim-i-nat-ing

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: in- (Old English) - negating prefix, meaning "not".
  • Root: discern (Latin discernere - to separate, distinguish) - to perceive or recognize.
  • Suffix: -ating (Latin) - forming the present participle of a verb, indicating ongoing action.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: /ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-scrim-" presents a potential challenge. However, the rule favoring consonant clusters remaining intact within a syllable applies here.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Indiscriminating" primarily functions as an adjective. As a verb (though less common), the stress pattern would remain the same.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Not able to distinguish between things; lacking good judgment.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: undiscriminating, indiscriminate, nonselective, uncritical
  • Antonyms: discerning, discriminating, selective, critical
  • Examples: "His indiscriminate taste in music was surprising." "The judge was criticized for his indiscriminate sentencing."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • discriminating: in-dis-crim-i-nat-ing (same syllable structure, stress pattern)
  • communicating: com-mu-ni-cat-ing (similar -ating suffix, stress on the 'cat' syllable)
  • illuminating: il-lu-mi-nat-ing (similar -ating suffix, stress on the 'nat' syllable)

The syllable division in "indiscriminating" is consistent with these similar words, all following the pattern of maintaining consonant clusters and placing stress before the -ating suffix.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
in /ɪn/ Closed syllable Vowel-Consonant (VC) rule. Syllable ends with a consonant. None
dis /dɪs/ Closed syllable Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) rule. None
crim /krɪm/ Closed syllable Consonant Cluster + Vowel-Consonant (CCVC) rule. The 'scr' cluster remains intact. Potential for division between 's' and 'c' but consonant clusters are generally kept together.
i /ɪ/ Open syllable Single vowel sound. None
nat /neɪt/ Open syllable Vowel-Consonant (VC) rule. None
ing /tɪŋ/ Closed syllable Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) rule. None

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Consonant (VC): Syllables typically end with a vowel sound followed by a consonant.
  2. Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC): Common syllable structure.
  3. Consonant Cluster Preservation: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable.

Special Considerations:

The 'scrim' cluster could potentially be divided, but the rule of preserving consonant clusters takes precedence.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/12/2025

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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.