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Hyphenation ofuncommunicatively

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

un-com-mu-ni-ca-tiv-e-ly

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

/ʌn.kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv.li/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00010001

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable (/kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv.li/).

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

un-/ʌn/

Open syllable, unstressed.

com-/kəm/

Open syllable, unstressed.

mu-/mjuː/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ni-/nɪ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ca-/kə/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ti-/tɪ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ve-/və/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ly/li/

Open syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

un-(prefix)
+
communic-(root)
+
-atively(suffix)

Prefix: un-

Old English, negation

Root: communic-

Latin *communicare* - to share

Suffix: -atively

Latin *-ativus* (forming adjective) + -ly (forming adverb)

Meanings & Definitions
adverb(grammatical role in sentences)

In a manner lacking communication or willingness to share information.

Examples:

"He behaved uncommunicatively during the police interview."

"She remained uncommunicatively silent about her plans."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

communicativecom-mu-ni-ca-tive

Shares the same root and similar structure.

incommunicadoin-com-mu-ni-ca-do

Shares the same root and a similar prefix.

alternativelyal-ter-na-tive-ly

Shares the same '-ly' adverbial suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are typically divided after vowels, especially when followed by a consonant.

Open Syllable Preference

English tends to favor open syllables (ending in a vowel sound).

Special Considerations

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

The length of the word and multiple suffixes create a complex structure, but standard syllable division rules apply consistently.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'uncommunicatively' is divided into eight syllables (un-com-mu-ni-ca-tiv-e-ly) based on vowel-consonant division. It's an adverb formed from the root 'communic-' with the prefixes 'un-' and suffixes '-ative' and '-ly'. Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "uncommunicatively"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "uncommunicatively" is an adverb formed by adding suffixes to a root. Its pronunciation in US English is generally /ʌn.kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv.li/. The vowel sounds are relatively standard, and the stress falls on the fourth syllable.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only the original letters, is: un-com-mu-ni-ca-tiv-e-ly

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
  • Root: communic- (Latin communicare - to share) - The base meaning of conveying information.
  • Suffix: -ative (Latin -ativus) - Forming an adjective, meaning "having the quality of."
  • Suffix: -ly (Old English -lice) - Forming an adverb, indicating manner.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: /kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv.li/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌn.kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv.li/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-ca-" can sometimes be a point of syllabification ambiguity, but in this case, it's clearly part of the "ca-" in "communicate". The "-tiv-" sequence is also a common point of division, but the vowel sound following it dictates the division.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Uncommunicatively" functions solely as an adverb. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress based on different parts of speech.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: In a manner lacking communication or willingness to share information.
  • Grammatical Category: Adverb
  • Synonyms: taciturnly, silently, reservedly, unforthcomingly
  • Antonyms: communicatively, openly, expressively
  • Examples: "He behaved uncommunicatively during the police interview." "She remained uncommunicatively silent about her plans."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Communicative: com-mu-ni-ca-tive (similar structure, stress on the third syllable) - The addition of "-ly" shifts the stress and adds a syllable.
  • Incommunicado: in-com-mu-ni-ca-do (similar root, different prefix) - Stress on the third syllable. The "-ado" ending alters the syllable count.
  • Alternatively: al-ter-na-tive-ly (similar suffix "-ly") - Stress on the fourth syllable. The initial consonant cluster and vowel sounds differ significantly.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
un- /ʌn/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
com- /kəm/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
mu- /mjuː/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
ni- /nɪ/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
ca- /kə/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
ti- /tɪ/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
ve- /və/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None
ly /li/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel-consonant division None

Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):

The length of the word and the multiple suffixes create a complex structure, but the standard syllable division rules apply consistently. No major exceptions were encountered.

Division Rules Applied:

  • Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are typically divided after vowels, especially when followed by a consonant.
  • Open Syllable Preference: English tends to favor open syllables (ending in a vowel sound).
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

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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.