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Hyphenation ofuncommensurableness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

un-com-men-su-ra-ble-ness

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

/ʌnˈkɑmənˌsʊrəbl̩nəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001000

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('su'). Secondary stress may occur on the first syllable ('un').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

un/ʌn/

Open syllable, unstressed.

com/kɑm/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

men/mɛn/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

su/sʊ/

Closed syllable, stressed.

ra/rə/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ble/bl̩/

Closed syllable, unstressed, syllabic consonant.

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

un-(prefix)
+
commensurate(root)
+
-ness(suffix)

Prefix: un-

Old English, negation

Root: commensurate

Latin *commensurabilis*, capable of being measured together

Suffix: -ness

Old English, noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The state or quality of being immeasurable or disproportionate.

Examples:

"The uncommensurableness of grief made it difficult to process."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

incomparabilityin-com-pa-ra-bil-i-ty

Similar structure with multiple suffixes and stress pattern.

immeasurabilityim-meas-ur-a-bil-i-ty

Similar prefix and suffix structure.

disproportionatedis-pro-por-tion-ate

Demonstrates how stress can shift with different root structures.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Attempt to include as many initial consonants as possible in a syllable.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Avoid leaving a single consonant at the end of a syllable unless it's part of a consonant cluster.

Vowel-Based Division

Syllables are generally centered around vowel sounds.

Special Considerations

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

The word's length and complexity make it prone to mispronunciation.

The syllabic /l/ in 'ble' is a potential point of variation.

Regional accents could influence vowel quality.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'uncommensurableness' is divided into seven syllables: un-com-men-su-ra-ble-ness. Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('su'). It's a noun formed from the prefix 'un-', the root 'commensurate', and the suffix '-ness'. Syllabification follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "uncommensurableness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "uncommensurableness" is a complex noun, relatively uncommon in everyday speech. Its pronunciation follows standard English (US) phonological rules, with a tendency towards stress on the fourth syllable.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows: un-com-men-su-ra-ble-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
  • Root: commensurate (Latin commensurabilis - capable of being measured together) - To be proportionate; corresponding in size or degree.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English) - Noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: un-com-men-su-ra-ble-ness. Secondary stress may occur on the first syllable: un-com-men-su-ra-ble-ness.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌnˈkɑmənˌsʊrəbl̩nəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The presence of the schwa /ə/ in several syllables is typical of unstressed syllables in English. The syllabic consonant /l̩/ in "ble" is a common feature, particularly in American English.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word functions solely as a noun. There are no significant syllabification or stress shifts if it were to hypothetically function as another part of speech (which it doesn't).

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The state or quality of being immeasurable or disproportionate.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: incomparability, disproportionality, immensity
  • Antonyms: comparability, proportionality, measurability
  • Example Usage: "The uncommensurableness of grief made it difficult to process."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Incomparability: in-com-pa-ra-bil-i-ty. Similar structure with multiple suffixes. Stress pattern is also similar, falling on the antepenultimate syllable.
  • Immeasurability: im-meas-ur-a-bil-i-ty. Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress falls on the second syllable.
  • Disproportionate: dis-pro-por-tion-ate. Stress falls on the third syllable. Demonstrates how stress can shift with different root structures.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
un /ʌn/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel followed by consonant None
com /kɑm/ Closed syllable, unstressed Consonant-Vowel-Consonant None
men /mɛn/ Closed syllable, unstressed Consonant-Vowel-Consonant None
su /sʊ/ Closed syllable, stressed Consonant-Vowel-Consonant None
ra /rə/ Open syllable, unstressed Consonant-Vowel None
ble /bl̩/ Closed syllable, unstressed, syllabic consonant Consonant Blend-Vowel-Consonant, syllabic /l/ Syllabic /l/ is a common feature, but not always predictable.
ness /nəs/ Closed syllable, unstressed Consonant-Vowel-Consonant None

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Maximize Onsets: Attempt to include as many initial consonants as possible in a syllable.
  2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Avoid leaving a single consonant at the end of a syllable unless it's part of a consonant cluster.
  3. Vowel-Based Division: Syllables are generally centered around vowel sounds.

Special Considerations:

The word's length and complexity make it prone to mispronunciation and varying syllabification attempts. The syllabic /l/ in "ble" is a potential point of variation.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the schwa sounds further, making the unstressed syllables even more subtle. Regional accents could influence the vowel quality.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

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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.