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Hyphenation ofthis-worldliness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

this-world-li-ness

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

/ðɪs ˈwɜːrldliːnəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0 1 0 0

Primary stress falls on the second syllable ('world').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

this/ðɪs/

Open syllable, single vowel sound.

world/wɜːrld/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster, primary stress.

li/liː/

Open syllable, single vowel sound.

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable, vowel sound at the end.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

this(prefix)
+
world(root)
+
lyness(suffix)

Prefix: this

Old English demonstrative pronoun functioning as an adjective modifier.

Root: world

Old English *woruld*, noun denoting the earth and its inhabitants.

Suffix: lyness

Combination of Old English *-lice* (adverbial) and *-nes* (noun-forming).

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The state or quality of being concerned with worldly things; secularity; worldliness.

Examples:

"His lack of concern for spiritual matters demonstrated a profound this-worldliness."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

happinesshap-pi-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix and similar stress pattern.

friendlinessfriend-li-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix and similar stress pattern.

lovelinesslove-li-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix and similar stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant (VC) Division

Syllables are often divided after a vowel when followed by a consonant.

Consonant Cluster Division

When a consonant cluster occurs between vowels, the cluster is often split after the first consonant, provided it creates a pronounceable syllable.

Suffix Division

Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.

Special Considerations

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

The '-ldli-' sequence requires careful consideration, but the established rules and pronunciation guide the correct breakdown.

The word's length and complex morphology require careful consideration of morphemic boundaries.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'this-worldliness' is a noun composed of a prefix, root, and two suffixes. It is divided into four syllables: this-world-li-ness, with primary stress on 'world'. Syllabification follows standard English rules of vowel-consonant and consonant cluster division, with suffixes forming separate syllables.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "this-worldliness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "this-worldliness" is pronounced as /ðɪs ˈwɜːrldliːnəs/ (General American English). It exhibits a complex structure with multiple morphemes and potential syllabification challenges due to consonant clusters and vowel sequences.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word is divided as follows: this-world-li-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: this- (Old English) - Demonstrative pronoun functioning as an adjective modifier.
  • Root: world- (Old English woruld) - Noun denoting the earth and its inhabitants.
  • Suffix: -ly (Old English -lice) - Adverbial suffix, converting an adjective into an adverb.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes) - Noun-forming suffix, creating a noun of state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the second syllable: /ˈwɜːrld/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ðɪs ˈwɜːrldliːnəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The "-ldli-" sequence presents a potential challenge. English generally prefers to break consonant clusters after the first consonant, but the presence of the vowel 'i' influences the division.

7. Grammatical Role:

"This-worldliness" functions primarily as a noun. While theoretically, one could attempt to use it adjectivally (though uncommon), the syllabification and stress remain consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The state or quality of being concerned with worldly things; secularity; worldliness.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: secularism, materialism, worldliness, carnality
  • Antonyms: spirituality, otherworldliness, asceticism
  • Examples: "His lack of concern for spiritual matters demonstrated a profound this-worldliness."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar suffix -ness, stress on the second syllable.
  • friendliness: friend-li-ness - Similar suffix -ness, stress on the second syllable.
  • loveliness: love-li-ness - Similar suffix -ness, stress on the second syllable.

The consistent stress pattern on the second syllable in these words, all ending in -liness or -ness, demonstrates a regular phonological pattern. The initial consonant clusters differ, but the core syllabic structure remains comparable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • this: /ðɪs/ - Open syllable, single vowel sound. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: None.
  • world: /wɜːrld/ - Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster. Rule: Consonant cluster split after the first consonant if it creates a pronounceable syllable. Exception: None.
  • li: /liː/ - Open syllable, single vowel sound. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant. Exception: None.
  • ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable, vowel sound at the end. Rule: Consonant cluster at the end of the word. Exception: None.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Consonant (VC) Division: Syllables are often divided after a vowel when followed by a consonant.
  2. Consonant Cluster Division: When a consonant cluster occurs between vowels, the cluster is often split after the first consonant, provided it creates a pronounceable syllable.
  3. Suffix Division: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.

Special Considerations:

The word's length and complex morphology require careful consideration of morphemic boundaries when determining syllable divisions. The "-ldli-" sequence is a potential area for misdivision, but the established rules and pronunciation guide the correct breakdown.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., /ɜː/ vs. /ə/) might exist, but these do not significantly alter the syllabification.

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

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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.