HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofquasi-intelligent

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

qua-si-in-tel-li-gent

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

/ˈkweɪzi ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

101010

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('li'). Secondary stress falls on the first syllable ('qua').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

qua/kweɪ/

Open syllable, initial syllable of the prefix.

si/zi/

Closed syllable, completing the prefix.

in/ɪn/

Closed syllable, beginning of the root.

tel/tɛl/

Closed syllable, part of the root.

li/li/

Open syllable, part of the root.

gent/dʒənt/

Closed syllable, completing the root and suffix.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

quasi-(prefix)
+
intel(root)
+
-ligent(suffix)

Prefix: quasi-

Latin origin, meaning 'as if' or 'seemingly'. Functions as a degree modifier.

Root: intel

Latin origin (*intellegere* - to understand). Core meaning relating to intellect.

Suffix: -ligent

Latin origin (*-legens* - 'reading'). Adjective forming suffix denoting capability.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Appearing to be intelligent, but perhaps not fully or genuinely so; somewhat intelligent.

Examples:

"The robot exhibited quasi-intelligent behavior, responding to simple commands."

"His quasi-intelligent remarks often masked a lack of real understanding."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

intelligentin-tel-li-gent

Shares the '-tel-li-gent' root and similar syllabic structure.

artificialar-ti-fi-cial

Similar vowel structure and consonant clusters, though stress placement differs.

essentiales-sen-tial

Shares the '-ential' ending, demonstrating a common syllabic pattern for words of Latin origin.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV)

Syllables are divided between vowels when a vowel sequence occurs.

Consonant-Vowel (CV)

Syllables are formed around vowel nuclei, with consonants preceding or following.

Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC)

Syllables are divided before and after the vowel when a consonant is on both sides.

Special Considerations

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

Potential vowel reduction in 'quasi' to /kwiːzi/.

Potential vowel reduction in 'tel' to /təl/.

The compound nature of the word requires careful consideration of morphemic boundaries.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'quasi-intelligent' is divided into five syllables: qua-si-in-tel-li-gent. It consists of the Latin prefix 'quasi-', the root 'intel', and the suffix '-ligent'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('li'). Syllable division follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "quasi-intelligent"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "quasi-intelligent" is pronounced as /ˈkweɪzi ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt/ in US English. It presents challenges due to the prefix "quasi-" and the complex structure of "intelligent."

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: quasi-in-tel-li-gent.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: quasi- (Latin, meaning "as if," "seemingly," or "resembling"). Morphological function: degree modifier.
  • Root: intel- (Latin intellegere - to understand). Morphological function: core meaning relating to intellect.
  • Suffix: -ligent (Latin -legens - "reading," but evolved to denote capability). Morphological function: adjective forming.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: in-tel-li-gent. Secondary stress is on the first syllable: qua-si-in-tel-li-gent.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˈkweɪzi ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt/

6. Edge Case Review:

The "quasi-" prefix can sometimes be pronounced with a shorter vowel /kwiːzi/, but /kweɪzi/ is more common in US English. The "tel" syllable is a potential point of variation, with some speakers reducing the vowel to a schwa.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Quasi-intelligent" functions primarily as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Appearing to be intelligent, but perhaps not fully or genuinely so; somewhat intelligent.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: semi-intelligent, partly intelligent, moderately intelligent
  • Antonyms: unintelligent, stupid, foolish
  • Examples: "The robot exhibited quasi-intelligent behavior, responding to simple commands." "His quasi-intelligent remarks often masked a lack of real understanding."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • intelligent: in-tel-li-gent (/ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt/) - shares the "-tel-li-gent" structure, demonstrating consistent syllabification.
  • artificial: ar-ti-fi-cial (/ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl/) - similar vowel structure and consonant clusters, but different stress placement.
  • essential: es-sen-tial (/ɪˈsɛnʃəl/) - shares the "-ential" ending, showing a common syllabic pattern for words of Latin origin.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • qua-si: /kweɪzi/ - Open syllable, followed by a closed syllable. Rule: Vowel-consonant-vowel pattern. Potential exception: vowel reduction in "quasi" to /kwiːzi/.
  • in: /ɪn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel pattern. No exceptions.
  • tel: /tɛl/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel-consonant pattern. Potential exception: vowel reduction to schwa /təl/.
  • li: /li/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel-consonant pattern. No exceptions.
  • gent: /dʒənt/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster-vowel-consonant pattern. No exceptions.

Exceptions and Special Cases:

The primary exception considered is the potential vowel reduction in "quasi" and "tel". The compound nature of the word also requires careful consideration of morphemic boundaries.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV): Syllables are divided between vowels.
  2. Consonant-Vowel (CV): Syllables are formed around vowel nuclei.
  3. Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC): Syllables are divided before and after the vowel.
  4. Consonant Cluster-Vowel-Consonant (CCVC): Syllables are divided before and after the vowel.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

The hottest word splits in English (US)

See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.

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.