Hyphenation ofre-embarrassment
Syllable Division:
re-em-bar-rass-ment
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/riːɪmˈbærəsmənt/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
00010
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('rass'). The stress pattern is typical for words with the '-ment' suffix.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, vowel followed by glide.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by nasal consonant.
Open syllable, vowel followed by /r/.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by /s/.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by nasal consonant and /t/.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: re-
Latin origin, iterative/reversal function
Root: embarrass
Old French origin, core meaning of causing shame
Suffix: -ment
French origin, nominalization function
The feeling of embarrassment experienced again after a previous instance.
Examples:
"She felt a wave of re-embarrassment as she remembered the incident."
"His apology did little to alleviate her re-embarrassment."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the '-ment' suffix and a similar syllabic structure.
Shares a prefix and the '-ing' suffix, exhibiting a comparable multi-syllabic pattern.
Shares the '-ment' suffix and a relatively simple syllabic structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Glide Syllable Division
Syllables are divided before vowel-glide sequences (e.g., re-).
Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division
Syllables are divided between consonants and vowels (e.g., em-).
Vowel-Consonant Syllable Division
Syllables are divided before a vowel followed by a consonant (e.g., bar-).
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The compound root 'embarrass' adds complexity but doesn't alter the application of standard syllabification rules.
Potential vowel reduction in 're-' by some speakers does not affect syllable division.
Summary:
The word 're-embarrassment' is divided into five syllables: re-em-bar-rass-ment. The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('rass'). It's a noun formed from the prefix 're-', the root 'embarrass', and the suffix '-ment'. Syllable division follows standard vowel-consonant and vowel-glide rules.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "re-embarrassment" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "re-embarrassment" is pronounced /riːɪmˈbærəsmənt/ in General American English. It exhibits a complex syllable structure due to the prefix, compound root, and suffix.
2. Syllable Division:
re-em-bar-rass-ment
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: re- (Latin) - meaning "again" or "back". Morphological function: iterative/reversal.
- Root: embarrass (Old French embarrasser - to obstruct, hinder) - meaning "to cause to feel self-conscious or ashamed". Morphological function: core meaning.
- Suffix: -ment (French) - forming nouns from verbs, indicating action, result, or state. Morphological function: nominalization.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /riːɪmˈbærəsmənt/.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/riːɪmˈbærəsmənt/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "rr" can sometimes pose challenges in syllabification, but in this case, it's clearly part of the "bar" syllable. The schwa sound /ə/ is common in unstressed syllables in English.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Re-embarrassment" functions primarily as a noun. While theoretically, one could attempt to use it adjectivally (e.g., "a re-embarrassment situation"), this is rare and the stress pattern would not shift.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The feeling of embarrassment experienced again after a previous instance.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: renewed embarrassment, second embarrassment, recurrence of shame
- Antonyms: composure, self-assurance, confidence
- Examples:
- "She felt a wave of re-embarrassment as she remembered the incident."
- "His apology did little to alleviate her re-embarrassment."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Disappointment: /dɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/ - 4 syllables, stress on the third. Similar suffix -ment. Syllable division: dis-ap-point-ment.
- Misunderstanding: /ˌmɪsʌndərˈstændɪŋ/ - 5 syllables, stress on the fourth. Similar prefix mis- and suffix -ing. Syllable division: mis-un-der-stand-ing.
- Agreement: /əˈɡriːmənt/ - 3 syllables, stress on the second. Similar suffix -ment. Syllable division: a-gree-ment.
The syllable structure of "re-embarrassment" is more complex due to the compound root "embarrass" and the prefix "re-". The other words have simpler root structures.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| re- | /riː/ | Open syllable, vowel followed by glide. | Vowel-Glide Syllable Division | None |
| em- | /ɪm/ | Closed syllable, vowel followed by nasal consonant. | Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division | None |
| bar- | /bær/ | Open syllable, vowel followed by /r/. | Vowel-Consonant Syllable Division | The "rr" sequence is common but doesn't alter the division. |
| rass- | /æs/ | Closed syllable, vowel followed by /s/. | Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division | None |
| ment | /mənt/ | Closed syllable, vowel followed by nasal consonant and /t/. | Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division | Common suffix, predictable syllabification. |
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Glide Syllable Division: Syllables are divided before vowel-glide sequences (e.g., re-).
- Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division: Syllables are divided between consonants and vowels (e.g., em-).
- Vowel-Consonant Syllable Division: Syllables are divided before a vowel followed by a consonant (e.g., bar-).
Special Considerations:
The compound root "embarrass" presents a slightly more complex case than a simple single-morpheme root. However, the standard syllabification rules still apply effectively.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "re-" to /rə/, but this doesn't significantly alter the syllable division.
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 process of dividing words across lines in print or on websites. It involves inserting hyphens (-) where a word breaks to continue on the next line.
Proper hyphenation improves readability by reducing the unevenness of word spacing and unnecessary large gaps. It also helps avoid confusion that may occur when part of a word carries over. Ideal hyphenation should break words according to pronunciation and syllables. Most word processors and publishing apps have automated tools to handle hyphenation effectively based on language rules and dictionaries. Though subtle, proper hyphenation improves overall typography and reading comfort.