Hyphenation ofnonsympathetically
Syllable Division:
non-sym-pa-thet-i-cal-ly
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌnɑnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkli/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010000
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('pa'). The stress pattern is typical for adverbs ending in '-ically'.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, stressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: non-
Latin origin, negation.
Root: sympath
Greek origin (sym- 'with', pathos 'feeling').
Suffix: -etically
Combination of -et- (linking vowel), -ic- (adjectival), and -ally (adverbial).
In a manner lacking sympathy or compassion; without feeling or showing sympathy.
Examples:
"He responded nonsympathetically to her plea for help."
"The company treated its employees nonsympathetically during the layoffs."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the same root and suffix structure, differing only in the initial prefix.
Similar suffix structure (-ically) and stress pattern.
Similar suffix structure (-ically) and stress pattern.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel Rule
Syllables are generally built around vowel sounds.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are split when necessary, but affixes are kept intact.
Prefix/Suffix Rule
Prefixes and suffixes typically form separate syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The 'non-' prefix is a common exception to vowel-centric syllable division.
The linking vowel '-e-' in 'sympathetic' does not create a separate syllable.
Summary:
The word 'nonsympathetically' is divided into seven syllables: non-sym-pa-thet-i-cal-ly. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('pa'). It's an adverb formed from the root 'sympath' with the prefix 'non-' and the suffix '-ically'. Syllabification follows standard English rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and maintaining affix integrity.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "nonsympathetically"
1. Examination & Pronunciation:
The word "nonsympathetically" is an adverb formed by adding suffixes to the adjective "nonsympathetic." Its pronunciation in US English is generally /ˌnɑnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkli/. It presents challenges due to the prefix "non-", the complex root "sympathetic", and the adverbial suffix "-ly".
2. Syllable Division:
Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters): non-sym-pa-thet-i-cal-ly
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: non- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
- Root: sympath- (Greek sym- "with" + pathos "feeling") - Relating to shared feelings or understanding.
- Suffix: -et- (Latin, linking vowel) - Connects the root to the following suffix.
- Suffix: -ic- (Latin, adjectival suffix) - Forms an adjective.
- Suffix: -ally (Latin, adverbial suffix) - Forms an adverb.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: non-sym-pa-thet-i-cal-ly. This is consistent with the general rule that stress falls on the penultimate syllable in words ending in -ically.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌnɑnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪkli/
6. Edge Case Review:
The "non-" prefix can sometimes create ambiguity, but in this case, it clearly attaches to the root "sympathetic." The cluster /mpθ/ is relatively uncommon but permissible in English.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Nonsympathetically" functions solely as an adverb. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of potential (though non-existent) alternative grammatical roles.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: In a manner lacking sympathy or compassion; without feeling or showing sympathy.
- Grammatical Category: Adverb
- Synonyms: unsympathetically, coldly, indifferently, heartlessly
- Antonyms: sympathetically, compassionately, kindly
- Examples: "He responded nonsympathetically to her plea for help." "The company treated its employees nonsympathetically during the layoffs."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Sympathetically: sym-pa-thet-i-cal-ly - Similar structure, stress on "pa".
- Mathematically: ma-the-mat-i-cal-ly - Similar suffix structure, stress on "mat".
- Historically: his-tor-i-cal-ly - Similar suffix structure, stress on "tor".
The consistent stress pattern on the penultimate syllable before "-ically" demonstrates a regular phonological pattern in English adverb formation. The difference in syllable count is due to the initial prefix in "nonsympathetically".
10. Division Rules:
- Vowel Rule: Syllables are often built around vowel sounds. Each syllable typically contains one vowel sound.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are often split, but attempts are made to keep affixes intact.
- Prefix/Suffix Rule: Prefixes and suffixes generally form separate syllables.
- Stress-Timing Rule: English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable duration and prominence.
11. Special Considerations:
The initial "non-" prefix is a relatively common exception to the typical vowel-centric syllable division. The linking vowel "-e-" in "sympathetic" doesn't create a separate syllable on its own.
12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables, but the syllable division remains the same. Regional accents might affect vowel quality but not the core syllabic structure.
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