Hyphenation oftear-embarrassed
Syllable Division:
tear-em-bar-rassed
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/tɪr ɪmˈbær.æs.t/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('bar'). The first two syllables ('tear' and 'em') are unstressed, and the final syllable ('rassed') receives secondary stress.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant structure.
Open syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant structure with a suffix.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: tear
Old English origin, meaning 'drop of liquid, especially from the eye'. Functions as a noun modifier.
Root: embarrass
Middle French origin, meaning 'to obstruct, hinder'. Indicates a state of self-consciousness.
Suffix: ed
Old English origin, past tense marker.
Feeling or showing embarrassment to the point of crying.
Examples:
"She was tear-embarrassed after tripping on stage."
"He felt tear-embarrassed when he realized his mistake."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar morphological structure with a different prefix.
Similar morphological structure with a different prefix.
Multi-morphemic word with stress on the final syllable, demonstrating stress shift possibilities.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule
Syllables often end in a vowel sound.
Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) Rule
Consonant clusters are often broken around vowel sounds.
Suffix Rule
Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The hyphenated nature of the word introduces a slight complexity.
The pronunciation of the 'ed' suffix can vary depending on the preceding sound.
Summary:
The word 'tear-embarrassed' is an adjective formed from a noun and a verb with a past tense suffix. It is divided into four syllables: tear-em-bar-rassed, with primary stress on the third syllable. The syllabification follows standard US English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns and suffix separation.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "tear-embarrassed" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "tear-embarrassed" presents a compound structure, combining "tear" (as in crying) and "embarrassed." The pronunciation involves a noticeable shift in stress and potential vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows: tear-em-bar-rassed.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: tear- (Old English tǣre, meaning 'drop of liquid, especially from the eye'). Functions as a noun modifying the adjective.
- Root: embarrass- (Middle French embarrasser, from Old French embarrasser meaning 'to obstruct, hinder'). Indicates a state of self-consciousness or awkwardness.
- Suffix: -ed (Old English -ed). Past tense marker, indicating a completed action or state.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: em-bar-rassed.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/tɪr ɪmˈbær.æs.t/
6. Edge Case Review:
The hyphenated nature of the word introduces a slight complexity. While generally treated as a single word for pronunciation, the initial "tear" retains a degree of independence.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Tear-embarrassed" functions primarily as an adjective. The syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Feeling or showing embarrassment to the point of crying.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: humiliated, mortified, ashamed, crestfallen
- Antonyms: confident, proud, unashamed
- Examples: "She was tear-embarrassed after tripping on stage." "He felt tear-embarrassed when he realized his mistake."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- "dis-embarrassed": dis-em-bar-rassed. Similar structure, stress on the third syllable. The addition of the prefix doesn't alter the core syllabification of "embarrassed."
- "over-embarrassed": o-ver-em-bar-rassed. Again, stress on the third syllable. The prefix is separated into its own syllable.
- "mis-understand": mis-un-der-stand. Stress on the last syllable. Demonstrates how stress can shift in multi-morphemic words, but in this case, "tear-embarrassed" maintains stress on the root.
Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rules:
- tear: /tɪr/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel + Consonant (VC) forms an open syllable. Exception: The 'tear' is a homophone, but in this context, it's the 'crying' tear, not the 'rip' tear.
- em: /ɪm/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant + Vowel + Consonant (CVC) forms a closed syllable.
- bar: /bær/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel + Consonant (VC) forms an open syllable.
- rassed: /æs.t/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant + Vowel + Consonant (CVC) forms a closed syllable. The 'ed' suffix is pronounced as /t/ due to the preceding /s/ sound.
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule: Syllables often end in a vowel sound.
- Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) Rule: Consonant clusters are often broken around vowel sounds.
- Suffix Rule: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Special Considerations:
The hyphenated nature of the word is a key consideration. While treated as a single unit for stress, the initial "tear" maintains a degree of phonetic independence. The pronunciation of the 'ed' suffix can vary depending on the preceding sound.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., the /æ/ in "embarrassed") might exist, but they do not significantly alter the syllabification.
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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.