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Hyphenation ofnoncontradictory

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

non-con-tra-dic-to-ry

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

/ˌnɑnˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəri/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

000001

Primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable ('to-ry').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

non/nɑn/

Open, unstressed syllable.

con/kɑn/

Open, unstressed syllable.

tra/trə/

Open, unstressed syllable.

dic/dɪk/

Closed, unstressed syllable.

to/tə/

Open, unstressed syllable.

ry/ri/

Open, stressed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

non-(prefix)
+
contradict(root)
+
-ory(suffix)

Prefix: non-

Latin origin, negation.

Root: contradict

Latin origin, 'against' + 'to say'.

Suffix: -ory

Latin origin, adjectival formation.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Not presenting logical contradictions; consistent.

Examples:

"His statement was noncontradictory and easily understood."

"The evidence presented was noncontradictory, supporting the defendant's alibi."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

noncommittalnon-com-mit-tal

Shares the 'non-' prefix, demonstrating consistent prefix syllabification.

contradictorycon-tra-dic-to-ry

Shares the root 'contradict', showing consistent root syllabification.

mandatoryman-da-to-ry

Shares the '-ory' suffix, demonstrating consistent suffix syllabification.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are often divided after a vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Division

Consonant clusters are often split to create syllables, prioritizing vowel sounds.

Prefix/Suffix Division

Prefixes and suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.

Special Considerations

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

The 'ntr' consonant cluster may present pronunciation challenges for some speakers.

The initial 'non-' can sometimes be pronounced as a single syllable, but a two-syllable division is more common.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'noncontradictory' is divided into six syllables: non-con-tra-dic-to-ry. It consists of the prefix 'non-', the root 'contradict', and the suffix '-ory'. The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable ('to-ry'). Syllabification follows vowel-consonant and consonant cluster division rules.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "noncontradictory"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "noncontradictory" is an adjective meaning "not contradictory." Its pronunciation in US English is generally /ˌnɑnˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəri/. It presents challenges due to the prefix "non-", the complex consonant cluster, and the multiple vowels.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters): non-con-tra-dic-to-ry

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: non- (Latin origin, meaning "not"). Morphological function: negation.
  • Root: contradict (Latin contra- "against" + dicere "to say"). Morphological function: core meaning of opposition.
  • Suffix: -ory (Latin origin, forming adjectives indicating a quality or state). Morphological function: adjectival formation.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌnɑnˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəri/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑnˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəri/

6. Edge Case Review:

The initial "non-" can sometimes be treated as a single syllable, especially in faster speech, but a two-syllable division is more common and phonologically justifiable. The "dic" syllable is a potential point of variation, but the standard pronunciation maintains a distinct syllable.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Noncontradictory" primarily functions as an adjective. Its syllabification and stress pattern remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Not presenting logical contradictions; consistent.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: consistent, logical, coherent, compatible
  • Antonyms: contradictory, inconsistent, illogical, incompatible
  • Examples: "His statement was noncontradictory and easily understood." "The evidence presented was noncontradictory, supporting the defendant's alibi."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "noncommittal": non-com-mit-tal. Similar prefix "non-", but a simpler consonant cluster. Stress on the third syllable.
  • "contradictory": con-tra-dic-to-ry. Shares the root "contradict", demonstrating consistent syllabification of that portion. Stress on the fourth syllable.
  • "mandatory": man-da-to-ry. Similar suffix "-ory", showing consistent syllabification. Stress on the second syllable.

10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:

  • non: /nɑn/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Initial position of the word.
  • con: /kɑn/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).
  • tra: /trə/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant cluster.
  • dic: /dɪk/ - Closed syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) at the end of the syllable.
  • to: /tə/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant.
  • ry: /ri/ - Open syllable, stressed. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant.

11. Special Considerations:

The consonant cluster "ntr" can be challenging for some speakers, potentially leading to slight variations in pronunciation. However, the standard syllabification maintains distinct syllables.

12. Division Rules Applied:

  • Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are often divided after a vowel sound.
  • Consonant Cluster Division: Consonant clusters are often split to create syllables, prioritizing vowel sounds.
  • Prefix/Suffix Division: Prefixes and suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
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.