HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofcommotionnaient

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

co-mmo-tio-nne-aient

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

/kɔ.mɔ.sjɔ.nɛ.jɑ̃/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Stress falls on the final syllable '-aient', which is typical for French verbs.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

co/kɔ/

Open syllable, initial syllable.

mmo/mɔ/

Open syllable, doubled consonant 'm'.

tio/sjɔ/

Open syllable, consonant cluster 'ti'.

nne/nɛ/

Open syllable.

aient/jɑ̃/

Closed syllable, final syllable, stressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

com-(prefix)
+
motion-(root)
+
-tion-(suffix)

Prefix: com-

Latin origin, intensifying prefix.

Root: motion-

Latin origin, meaning 'movement'.

Suffix: -tion-

Latin origin, nominalizing suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
verb(grammatical role in sentences)

To disturb, upset, agitate.

Translation: To disturb

Examples:

"Les enfants commotionnaient la classe."

"Il commotionnait les esprits avec ses propos."

Antonyms: calmer, rassurer
Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

nationauxna-ti-o-naux

Similar vowel-centered syllable structure.

occasiono-ca-si-on

Similar open syllable structure.

informationin-for-ma-ti-on

Demonstrates typical French syllable structure.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Centered Syllables

Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. Each vowel typically forms the nucleus of a syllable.

Consonant Clusters

Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they are complex and difficult to pronounce.

Doubled Consonants

Doubled consonants are generally treated as a single consonant sound within the syllable.

Special Considerations

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

The doubled 'm' does not create a syllable break, adhering to French phonological rules.

The final syllable receives the primary stress, a common pattern in French.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'commotionnaient' is divided into five syllables: co-mmo-tio-nne-aient. It follows French syllabification rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and avoiding breaks within consonant clusters. The stress falls on the final syllable. The word is a verb form derived from Latin roots.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "commotionnaient" (French)

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "commotionnaient" is the third-person plural imperfect indicative of the verb "commotionner" (to disturb, upset). French pronunciation features liaison and elision, but for syllabification, we focus on the underlying phonological structure.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are complex, the word divides as follows (see JSON output for orthographic representation).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: com- (Latin, meaning "with," "together," or intensifying)
  • Root: motion- (Latin motio, meaning "movement," "stirring")
  • Suffix: -tion- (Latin, nominalizing suffix, forming a noun)
  • Suffix: -naient (Imperfect indicative ending, 3rd person plural. Derived from the Latin infinitive ending -nare + imperfect ending)

4. Stress Identification:

French stress is generally on the final syllable of a phrase or breath group. In this case, the final syllable "-aient" receives the primary stress.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ.mɔ.sjɔ.nɛ.jɑ̃/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • co-: /kɔ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No consonant cluster breaking needed.
  • mmo-: /mɔ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. Doubled consonant 'm' is treated as a single consonant sound within the syllable.
  • tio-: /sjɔ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. 'ti' is a common initial consonant cluster in French.
  • nne-: /nɛ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds.
  • aient: /jɑ̃/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The nasal vowel /ɑ̃/ closes the syllable.

7. Edge Case Review:

The doubled 'm' in "mmo-" doesn't create a syllable break. French generally avoids syllable breaks within doubled consonants.

8. Grammatical Role:

As a verb form, the syllabification remains consistent. If "commotion" were a noun, the syllabification would be identical.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Word: commotionnaient
  • Part of Speech: Verb (Imperfect Indicative)
  • Definitions:
    • "They were disturbing/upsetting."
    • "They were agitating."
  • Translation: "They were disturbing"
  • Synonyms: dérangeaient, troublaient, agitaient
  • Antonyms: calmaient, rassuraient
  • Examples: "Les enfants commotionnaient la classe." (The children were disturbing the class.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Pronunciation is relatively standard. Some regional variations might involve slight differences in vowel quality, but these wouldn't affect syllabification.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • nationaux: na-ti-o-naux /na.sjɔ.nɔ/ - Similar syllable structure with vowel-centered syllables.
  • occasion: o-ca-si-on /ɔ.ka.sjɔ̃/ - Similar open syllable structure.
  • information: in-for-ma-ti-on /ɛ̃.fɔʁ.ma.sjɔ̃/ - Demonstrates the typical French pattern of vowel-centered syllables and avoidance of consonant cluster breaks.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/10/2025

The hottest word splits in French

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

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.