Hyphenation ofnoncomprehensive

Linguistic Analysis of "noncomprehensive"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "noncomprehensive" is pronounced /ˌnɑnˌkɑmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/ (General American English). It presents challenges due to the initial prefix and the complex vowel structure within the root.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: non-com-pre-hen-sive.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: non- (Latin origin, meaning "not"). Morphological function: negation.
• Root: comprehend (Latin comprehendere – to grasp entirely). Morphological function: core meaning of understanding or inclusion.
• Suffix: -ive (Latin origin, forming adjectives). Morphological function: adjectival marker.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third-to-last syllable: /ˌnɑnˌkɑmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/. This is typical for words ending in -ive.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑnˌkɑmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/

6. Edge Case Review:

The initial "non-" can sometimes be treated as a single syllable, especially in faster speech, but a clear division at "non-" is more phonologically accurate. The cluster /mpr/ is a common but potentially challenging sequence for some speakers.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Noncomprehensive" functions solely as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Not comprehensive; not including or dealing with all the necessary aspects of something.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: incomplete, partial, limited, inadequate
• Antonyms: comprehensive, complete, thorough, exhaustive
• Examples: "The report was a noncomprehensive overview of the situation." "A noncomprehensive list of ingredients."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Comprehensive: com-pre-hen-sive. Syllable structure is similar, but the addition of the "non-" prefix adds an initial syllable.
• Impressive: im-pres-sive. Shares the "-sive" ending and similar stress patterns, but differs in the initial consonant cluster.
• Expensive: ex-pen-sive. Similar ending, but different initial consonant cluster and vowel sounds. The "-ive" suffix consistently attracts stress.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-Coda Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound. Consonants are assigned to the following vowel.
2. Onset-Rime Rule: Syllables are structured around an onset (initial consonant cluster) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).

Special Considerations:

The initial "non-" prefix could potentially be pronounced as a single syllable in very rapid speech, but the division "non-com-" is more phonologically accurate and reflects the morphemic structure. The /mpr/ consonant cluster requires careful articulation.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some regional variations might exhibit slight differences in vowel quality (e.g., /ɑ/ vs. /ɔ/) but the syllable division remains consistent.

Short Analysis:

"Noncomprehensive" is a five-syllable adjective with primary stress on the third-to-last syllable. It's formed from the prefix "non-", the root "comprehend", and the suffix "-ive". Syllabification follows the vowel-coda rule, dividing the word into non-com-pre-hen-sive.