Hyphenation ofsemipermeability
Syllable Division:
se-mi-per-me-a-bi-li-ty
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌsɛmiːpɜːrmiˈeɪbɪlɪti/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
00010001
Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('a' in 'a-bi-li-ty').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, short vowel.
Open syllable, long vowel.
Open syllable, r-controlled vowel.
Open syllable, short vowel.
Open syllable, diphthong.
Open syllable, short vowel.
Open syllable, short vowel.
Closed syllable, short vowel.
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: perme-
Latin origin (*per-* 'through' + *meare* 'to go'), core meaning of passing through.
Suffix: -ability
Latin origin (*-abilitas*), nominalization suffix denoting a capacity or quality.
The quality or condition of a membrane or barrier that allows some molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion or specialized transport while restricting the passage of others.
Examples:
"The semipermeability of the cell membrane is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar vowel structure and the '-ity' suffix.
Shares the root 'perme-', demonstrating consistent syllable division.
Shares the '-ability' suffix, showing consistent suffix syllable division.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Following Consonant Rule
Each vowel sound is generally followed by a consonant, creating a syllable.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters at the end of a syllable are maintained together.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The length of the word and multiple vowels require careful application of the vowel-following consonant rule.
The root 'perme-' is consistently treated as a unit.
Summary:
The word 'semipermeability' is divided into eight syllables: se-mi-per-me-a-bi-li-ty. It consists of the prefix 'semi-', the root 'perme-', and the suffix '-ability'. The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable. Syllable division follows the vowel-following consonant rule and maintains consonant clusters.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "semipermeability"
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "semipermeability" is pronounced /ˌsɛmiːpɜːrmiˈeɪbɪlɪti/ in US English. It presents challenges due to the presence of multiple vowels, consonant clusters, and the schwa sound.
2. Syllable Division:
Following English syllable division rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: semi- (Latin, meaning "half" or "partly"). Morphological function: degree modifier.
- Root: perme- (Latin per-, meaning "through" + meare, meaning "to go"). Morphological function: core meaning of passing through.
- Suffix: -ability (Latin -abilitas, meaning "quality of being"). Morphological function: nominalization, forming a noun denoting a capacity or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /ˌsɛmiːpɜːrmiˈeɪbɪlɪti/.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌsɛmiːpɜːrmiˈeɪbɪlɪti/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "-rm-" can sometimes be a point of division ambiguity, but in this case, it's more natural to group "per-" with "me-" due to the root's origin. The "i" and "a" vowels create separate syllables.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Semipermeability" functions solely as a noun. There are no stress or syllable division shifts based on part of speech.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality or condition of a membrane or barrier that allows some molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion or specialized transport while restricting the passage of others.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: selective permeability, differential permeability
- Antonyms: impermeability
- Examples: "The semipermeability of the cell membrane is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- possibility: pos-si-bil-i-ty (4 syllables) - Similar vowel structure, but simpler consonant clusters. Stress on the third syllable.
- permeable: per-me-a-ble (4 syllables) - Shares the root "perme-", demonstrating consistent syllable division within that morpheme. Stress on the second syllable.
- improbability: im-prob-a-bil-i-ty (6 syllables) - Longer word with a different prefix, but shares the "-ability" suffix, showing consistent suffix syllable division. Stress on the third syllable.
10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:
Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Division Rule | Exceptions/Special Cases |
---|---|---|---|---|
se- | /sɛ/ | Open syllable, short vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
mi- | /miː/ | Open syllable, long vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
per- | /pɜːr/ | Open syllable, r-controlled vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
me- | /mi/ | Open syllable, short vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
a- | /eɪ/ | Open syllable, diphthong. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
bi- | /bɪ/ | Open syllable, short vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
li- | /lɪ/ | Open syllable, short vowel. | Vowel-following consonant rule. | None |
ty | /ti/ | Closed syllable, short vowel. | Consonant cluster ending syllable. | None |
11. Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Following Consonant Rule: Each vowel sound is generally followed by a consonant, creating a syllable.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters at the end of a syllable are maintained together.
12. Special Considerations:
The length of the word and the presence of multiple vowels require careful application of the vowel-following consonant rule. The root "perme-" is consistently treated as a unit.
13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some regional variations might slightly alter vowel quality, but the syllable division remains consistent.
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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.