Hyphenation ofsemi-intelligent
Syllable Division:
se-mi-in-tel-li-gent
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌsɛmiɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
001001
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('tel'). The stress pattern is typical for words with Latinate suffixes.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, vowel sound.
Open syllable, vowel sound.
Closed syllable, consonant ending.
Closed syllable, consonant ending.
Open syllable, vowel sound.
Closed syllable, consonant ending.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: semi-
Latin origin, meaning 'half' or 'partly', degree modifier.
Root: intel-
Latin origin (*intellegere*), meaning 'to understand', core meaning relating to intellect.
Suffix: -igent
Latin origin (*-igens*), present participle suffix, forms an adjective meaning 'possessing' or 'characterized by'.
Having or showing a moderate level of intelligence; not fully intelligent.
Examples:
"The robot displayed semi-intelligent behavior."
"He was a semi-intelligent creature, capable of basic problem-solving."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the root 'intel-' and the suffix '-igent', exhibiting similar stress patterns.
Shares the prefix 'semi-', demonstrating consistent syllabification of this element.
Shares the suffix '-ant', exhibiting a similar stress pattern on the third syllable.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel followed by consonant
Syllables are divided after a vowel sound when followed by a consonant.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The prefix 'semi-' is consistently treated as a separate syllable.
The combination of 'in' and 'tel' could be debated, but the following vowel 'li' clearly separates them.
Summary:
The word 'semi-intelligent' is divided into six syllables: se-mi-in-tel-li-gent. It consists of the prefix 'semi-', the root 'intel-', and the suffix '-igent'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('tel'). Syllabification follows standard English rules of vowel-consonant separation and consonant cluster maintenance.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "semi-intelligent" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "semi-intelligent" is pronounced as /ˌsɛmiɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/ in General American English. It consists of four syllables, with primary stress on the third syllable.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as: se-mi-in-tel-li-gent.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: semi- (Latin, meaning "half" or "partly"). Morphological function: degree modifier.
- Root: intel- (Latin intellegere, meaning "to understand"). Morphological function: core meaning relating to intellect.
- Suffix: -igent (Latin -igens, present participle suffix). Morphological function: forms an adjective meaning "possessing" or "characterized by."
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: /ˌsɛmiɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/. This is typical for words with Latinate suffixes like -igent.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌsɛmiɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/
6. Edge Case Review:
The combination of "in" and "tel" can sometimes be ambiguous, but the clear vowel separation and the presence of the following "li" dictate the division as "in-tel".
7. Grammatical Role:
"Semi-intelligent" functions primarily as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Having or showing a moderate level of intelligence; not fully intelligent.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: moderately intelligent, half-intelligent, somewhat intelligent
- Antonyms: highly intelligent, brilliant, unintelligent, stupid
- Examples: "The robot displayed semi-intelligent behavior." "He was a semi-intelligent creature, capable of basic problem-solving."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- intelligent: in-tel-li-gent (/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/) - Similar structure, stress on the third syllable.
- semipermeable: se-mi-per-me-a-ble (/ˌsɛmiˈpɜrmiəbl/) - Similar prefix "semi-", stress pattern follows the same rule.
- significant: sig-ni-fi-cant (/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/) - Similar suffix "-ant", stress on the third syllable.
The syllable division in "semi-intelligent" aligns with these words, demonstrating consistent application of English syllabification rules. The presence of the prefix "semi-" doesn't alter the core stress pattern established by the root and suffix.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| se | /sɛ/ | Open syllable, vowel sound | Vowel followed by consonant rule | None |
| mi | /mi/ | Open syllable, vowel sound | Vowel followed by consonant rule | None |
| in | /ɪn/ | Closed syllable, consonant ending | Consonant cluster rule | None |
| tel | /tɛl/ | Closed syllable, consonant ending | Vowel followed by consonant cluster rule | Potential ambiguity with "in", resolved by following vowel |
| li | /li/ | Open syllable, vowel sound | Vowel followed by consonant rule | None |
| gent | /dʒənt/ | Closed syllable, consonant ending | Consonant cluster rule | None |
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel followed by consonant: Syllables are typically divided after a vowel sound when followed by a consonant (e.g., se-mi, in-tel).
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable (e.g., in-tel-li-gent).
- Vowel Digraphs/Diphthongs: Vowel digraphs and diphthongs are treated as a single vowel sound within a syllable.
Special Considerations:
The prefix "semi-" is consistently treated as a separate syllable. The combination of "in" and "tel" could potentially be debated, but the presence of the following vowel "li" clearly separates them.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
While the provided IPA transcription represents General American English, slight variations in vowel quality or stress intensity may occur in different regional dialects. However, the core syllable division remains consistent.
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 splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.
This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.
With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.