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Hyphenation oftemptation-proof

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

tem-ta-tion-proof

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

/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən pruːf/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0 0 1 0

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('tion'). This is typical for compound adjectives where the stress falls on the root of the first element.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

tem/tɛm/

Closed syllable, consonant ending.

ta/tə/

Open syllable, vowel ending.

tion/ʃən/

Closed syllable, consonant ending, silent 't'.

proof/pruːf/

Closed syllable, vowel ending.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

tempt(prefix)
+
tation(root)
+
proof(suffix)

Prefix: tempt

Latin origin, meaning 'to try, test'.

Root: tation

Latin suffixation of 'temptare', forming the noun 'temptation'.

Suffix: proof

Old English origin, meaning 'demonstration, test'; indicates resistance.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Not susceptible to temptation; immune to the allure of something undesirable.

Examples:

"The security system was designed to be temptation-proof."

"He needed a temptation-proof plan to stick to his diet."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

information-proofin-for-ma-tion-proof

Similar syllable structure and compound adjective formation.

water-proofwa-ter-proof

Similar structure as a compound adjective, but shorter first element.

bullet-proofbul-let-proof

Similar structure as a compound adjective, with a short first element.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are often divided after a vowel that is followed by a consonant.

Consonant Cluster Division

When a consonant cluster separates vowels, the cluster is typically maintained within a syllable.

Hyphenated Compound Division

Hyphens indicate potential syllable breaks, but stress patterns influence the final division.

Special Considerations

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

The silent 't' in 'temptation' is a common phonological exception.

The compound adjective structure influences the stress pattern.

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation may occur.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'temptation-proof' is a compound adjective divided into four syllables: tem-ta-tion-proof. Primary stress falls on 'tion'. It's formed from the Latin root 'tempt' and the Old English 'proof', meaning resistant to temptation. Syllabification follows standard vowel-consonant and hyphenated compound rules, with the exception of the silent 't' in 'temptation'.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "temptation-proof" (US English)

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "temptation-proof" is a compound adjective. Its pronunciation involves a blend of familiar English sounds, with potential variation in the vowel sounds depending on regional accents. The hyphenated structure presents a unique challenge for syllabification.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters): tem-pta-tion-proof

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: tempt- (Latin temptare - to try, test). Morphological function: Root of the first part of the compound.
  • Root: tation (Latin suffixation of temptare). Morphological function: Forms the noun "temptation".
  • Root: proof (Old English prōf - demonstration, test). Morphological function: Indicates resistance or immunity.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: tem-pta-tion-proof. This is typical for compound adjectives where the stress falls on the root of the first element.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən pruːf/

6. Edge Case Review:

The hyphenated structure is the primary edge case. Hyphens generally encourage separation into distinct syllables, but the compound nature of the word also influences the stress pattern.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Temptation-proof" functions exclusively as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Not susceptible to temptation; immune to the allure of something undesirable.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: irresistible, impervious, resistant, immune
  • Antonyms: vulnerable, susceptible, weak
  • Examples: "The security system was designed to be temptation-proof." "He needed a temptation-proof plan to stick to his diet."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "Information-proof": in-for-ma-tion-proof. Similar syllable structure, stress on the third syllable.
  • "Water-proof": wa-ter-proof. Simpler structure, but stress on the second syllable. This difference arises from the shorter length of "water" compared to "temptation".
  • "Bullet-proof": bul-let-proof. Similar structure to "water-proof", stress on the second syllable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
tem /tɛm/ Closed syllable Vowel followed by consonant (CVC) None
ta /tə/ Open syllable Vowel followed by consonant None
tion /ʃən/ Closed syllable Consonant cluster followed by schwa The 't' is silent, a common exception.
proof /pruːf/ Closed syllable Diphthong followed by consonant None

Syllable Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are often divided after a vowel that is followed by a consonant (e.g., tem-ta).
  2. Consonant Cluster Division: When a consonant cluster separates vowels, the cluster is typically maintained within a syllable (e.g., tem-pta).
  3. Hyphenated Compound Division: Hyphens indicate potential syllable breaks, but stress patterns influence the final division.

Special Considerations:

  • The silent 't' in "temptation" is a common phonological exception.
  • The compound adjective structure influences the stress pattern.
  • Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., /eɪ/ vs. /ɛ/) may occur.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "temptation" to a schwa /tə/, leading to a pronunciation closer to /ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən pruːf/. This doesn't significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/10/2025

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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.