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Hyphenation ofimmunocompétent

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

im-mu-no-com-pé-tent

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

/im.y.no.kɔ̃.pe.tɑ̃/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

000011

Stress falls on the final syllable '-tent', which is the standard stress pattern for French adjectives.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

im/im/

Closed syllable, initial syllable, consonant-vowel structure.

mu/my/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.

no/no/

Open syllable, vowel sound.

com/kɔ̃/

Closed syllable, nasal vowel. The 'n' contributes to nasalization, not a separate syllable.

/pe/

Open syllable, vowel sound.

tent/tɑ̃/

Closed syllable, nasal vowel. The 'n' contributes to nasalization, not a separate syllable. Stressed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

immuno-(prefix)
+
compét-(root)
+
-ent(suffix)

Prefix: immuno-

Latin origin (*immunis*), meaning 'free from burden'. Prefix denoting immunity.

Root: compét-

Latin origin (*competere*), meaning 'to strive together, be equal'. Root denoting capability or competence.

Suffix: -ent

Latin origin. Adjectival suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Capable of eliciting an immune response; possessing a functioning immune system.

Translation: Immunocompetent

Examples:

"Les lymphocytes T sont immunocompétents."

"Un patient immunocompétent."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

incompatiblein-com-pa-ti-ble

Similar prefix and suffix structure, demonstrating common French word formation patterns.

incompréhensiblein-com-pré-hen-si-ble

Similar prefix and complex syllable structure, illustrating the handling of consonant clusters.

compétitioncom-pé-ti-tion

Shares the root 'compét-', allowing comparison of syllable structure and stress patterns.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Nucleus Rule

Each syllable contains a vowel sound as its nucleus.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are maintained unless they are overly complex, avoiding syllable breaks within them.

Nasal Vowel Rule

Nasal vowels (/ɔ̃/, /ɑ̃/) form a single syllable with the following 'n' contributing to nasalization.

Special Considerations

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

The nasal vowels require careful consideration as the 'n' is not a separate syllable but modifies the vowel sound.

The word follows standard French stress patterns, with stress on the final syllable.

No significant regional variations affect the syllable division.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'immunocompétent' is divided into six syllables: im-mu-no-com-pé-tent. It's built from Latin-derived morphemes and follows standard French syllabification rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and maintaining consonant clusters. Stress falls on the final syllable. The nasal vowels require special attention as the 'n' is part of the vowel's nasalization, not a separate syllable.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "immunocompétent"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "immunocompétent" is a French adjective meaning "immunocompetent." It's a relatively complex word, built from several morphemes. Pronunciation follows standard French rules, with liaison possibilities depending on the following word.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are complex, the division is as follows (detailed in the JSON output).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • immuno-: Prefix of Latin origin (from immunis meaning "free from burden"), denoting immunity.
  • compét-: Root of Latin origin (from competere meaning "to strive together, be equal"), denoting capability or competence.
  • -ent: Suffix of Latin origin, forming an adjective.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. In this case, the stress falls on "-ent".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/im.y.no.kɔ̃.pe.tɑ̃/

6. Edge Case Review:

The nasal vowels /ɔ̃/ and /ɑ̃/ require careful consideration. The "n" following these vowels is not part of the syllable's nucleus but contributes to its nasalization.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Immunocompétent" primarily functions as an adjective. Its syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Capable of eliciting an immune response; possessing a functioning immune system.
  • Translation: Immunocompetent
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: immunitaire, capable de répondre immunitairement
  • Antonyms: immunodéficient (immunodeficient)
  • Examples: "Les lymphocytes T sont immunocompétents." (T lymphocytes are immunocompetent.) "Un patient immunocompétent." (An immunocompetent patient.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "incompatible": in-com-pa-ti-ble. Similar structure with prefixes and suffixes. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "incompréhensible": in-com-pré-hen-si-ble. Similar prefix and complex syllable structure. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "compétition": com-pé-ti-tion. Shares the root "compét-". Stress on the penultimate syllable, differing from "immunocompétent" due to the final vowel.

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is /im.y.no.kɔ̃.pe.tɑ̃/, slight variations in vowel quality might occur depending on regional accents. However, these variations do not significantly alter the syllable division.

11. Syllable Division Rules:

  • Vowel sounds generally form the nucleus of a syllable.
  • Consonant clusters are generally kept together unless they are complex and difficult to pronounce.
  • Final syllables are often single vowels or consonant-vowel combinations.
  • Nasal vowels create a single syllable with the following 'n' being part of the nasalization.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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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.