HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofuncontemptuousness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

un-con-tempt-u-ous-ness

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

/ʌn.kənˈtɛm.ptʃu.əs.nəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

000100

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('u'). The stress pattern is influenced by the word's length and the presence of multiple suffixes.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

un/ʌn/

Open syllable, unstressed.

con/kən/

Open syllable, unstressed.

tempt/tɛmpt/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

u/u/

Open syllable, stressed.

ous/əs/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ness/nəs/

Open syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

un-(prefix)
+
tempt(root)
+
-uousness(suffix)

Prefix: un-

Old English, negation

Root: tempt

Latin *temptare*, to try, test, or entice

Suffix: -uousness

Latin *-ōsus* (having the quality of) + Old English *-nes* (forming abstract nouns)

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The state of not being contemptuous; lack of scorn or disdain.

Examples:

"Her response was characterized by a remarkable uncontemptuousness, even towards her harshest critics."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

uncomfortableun-com-for-ta-ble

Shares the 'un-' prefix and a similar structure.

unquestionableun-ques-tion-a-ble

Shares the 'un-' prefix and a similar structure.

happinesshap-pi-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Consonant clusters are kept together at the beginning of a syllable.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Consonants are not left at the end of a syllable unless part of a cluster.

Vowel as Nucleus

Each syllable must contain 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 contribute to vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

The /ptʃ/ cluster is a common English sound and doesn't present a significant challenge.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'uncontemptuousness' is divided into six syllables: un-con-tempt-u-ous-ness. It's a noun formed from the prefix 'un-', the root 'tempt', and the suffixes '-uous' and '-ness'. Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('u'). Syllabification follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "uncontemptuousness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "uncontemptuousness" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation in US English involves a relatively straightforward application of English phonological rules, though the length and complexity can lead to variations in stress and vowel reduction.

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-con-tempt-u-ous-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
  • Root: tempt- (Latin temptare) - To try, test, or entice.
  • Suffixes: -uous (Latin -ōsus) - Having the quality of. -ness (Old English -nes) - Forming abstract nouns denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: u. The stress pattern is largely determined by the length of the word and the presence of multiple suffixes.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌn.kənˈtɛm.ptʃu.əs.nəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The cluster /ptʃ/ is a common feature of English and doesn't present a significant edge case. The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is a typical phenomenon.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Uncontemptuousness" functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context (as it only has one).

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The state of not being contemptuous; lack of scorn or disdain.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, respect
  • Antonyms: contempt, scorn, disdain, arrogance
  • Example Usage: "Her response was characterized by a remarkable uncontemptuousness, even towards her harshest critics."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "uncomfortable": un-com-for-ta-ble. Similar prefix and structure, stress on the third syllable.
  • "unquestionable": un-ques-tion-a-ble. Similar prefix, stress on the third syllable.
  • "happiness": hap-pi-ness. Simpler structure, but shares the "-ness" suffix, stress on the first syllable.

The differences in stress placement are due to the length and complexity of the root and the number of syllables. "Uncontemptuousness" has a longer root and more suffixes, shifting the stress towards the middle.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
un /ʌn/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel + Consonant Common prefix, vowel reduction possible
con /kən/ Open syllable, unstressed Consonant + Vowel
tempt /tɛmpt/ Closed syllable, unstressed Consonant Cluster + Vowel + Consonant /pt/ cluster is common
u /ˈu/ Open syllable, stressed Vowel Primary stress
ous /əs/ Open syllable, unstressed Vowel + Consonant Vowel reduction common
ness /nəs/ Open syllable, unstressed Consonant + Vowel Common suffix

Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):

The length of the word and the multiple suffixes contribute to the complexity of its pronunciation and potential for vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Maximize Onsets: Consonant clusters are generally kept together at the beginning of a syllable (e.g., "con-").
  2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants are not left at the end of a syllable unless they are part of a consonant cluster.
  3. Vowel as Syllable Nucleus: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

The hottest word splits in English (US)

See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.

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.