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Hyphenation ofincompréhensible

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

in-com-pré-hen-si-ble

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

/ɛ̃.kɔ̃.pʁe.ɑ̃.sibl/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

000001

Stress falls on the final syllable, '-ble'.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

in/ɛ̃/

Open syllable, nasal vowel.

com/kɔ̃/

Open syllable, nasal vowel.

pré/pʁe/

Open syllable.

hen/ɑ̃/

Open syllable, nasal vowel.

si/si/

Open syllable.

ble/bl/

Closed syllable, stressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

in-(prefix)
+
compré-(root)
+
-hensible(suffix)

Prefix: in-

Latin origin, negation.

Root: compré-

Latin *comprehendere*, 'to grasp fully'.

Suffix: -hensible

Latin *-bilis*, 'able to be'.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Not capable of being understood.

Translation: Incomprehensible

Examples:

"Son explication était incompréhensible."

"Un problème incompréhensible."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

impossibleim-pos-si-ble

Similar syllable structure and stress pattern.

indéfinissablein-dé-fi-nis-sa-ble

Longer, but follows the same vowel-centered syllable pattern.

responsableres-pon-sa-ble

Similar structure with a consonant cluster at the beginning of the root.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Centered Syllables

Syllables are formed around vowel sounds.

Consonant Clusters

Consonant clusters are not broken unless they are easily pronounceable as separate syllables.

Final Consonant

Syllables end with a consonant if no further vowel follows.

Special Considerations

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

Nasal vowels do not affect syllable division.

The 'r' sound is part of the syllable it appears in.

Stress consistently falls on the final syllable in French.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'incompréhensible' is divided into six syllables: in-com-pré-hen-si-ble. It consists of a Latin-derived prefix 'in-', root 'compré-', and suffix '-hensible'. Stress falls on the final syllable. Syllabification follows the rule of forming syllables around vowel sounds and avoiding unnecessary consonant cluster breaks.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "incompréhensible" (French)

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "incompréhensible" is a French adjective meaning "incomprehensible." Its pronunciation involves several vowel sounds and consonant clusters typical of French. The 'r' is a uvular fricative, and liaison is possible depending on the following word.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are pronounceable as separate syllables, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: in- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
  • Root: compré- (from Latin comprehendere, meaning "to grasp fully") - The core meaning of understanding.
  • Suffix: -hensible (Latin, -bilis meaning "able to be") - Forms an adjective indicating capability.

4. Stress Identification:

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

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ɛ̃.kɔ̃.pʁe.ɑ̃.sibl/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

  • in-: /ɛ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No consonant clusters to break. Exception: Nasal vowel.
  • com-: /kɔ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. Nasal vowel.
  • pré-: /pʁe/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The 'r' is part of the syllable.
  • hen-: /ɑ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. Nasal vowel.
  • si-: /si/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds.
  • ble: /bl/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables end with a consonant when no further vowel follows. Stress falls here.

7. Edge Case Review:

The consonant cluster "pr" is not broken, as it's a common and pronounceable sequence in French. The nasal vowels /ɛ̃/ and /ɑ̃/ are typical of French and don't affect syllabification rules.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Incompréhensible" primarily functions as an adjective. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Not capable of being understood.
  • Translation: Incomprehensible
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: impénétrable, incompréhensible, obscur
  • Antonyms: clair, compréhensible, simple
  • Examples: "Son explication était incompréhensible." (His explanation was incomprehensible.) "Un problème incompréhensible." (An incomprehensible problem.)

10. Regional Variations:

Pronunciation of the 'r' can vary regionally (uvular vs. alveolar), but this doesn't affect syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • impossible: im-pos-si-ble - Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
  • indéfinissable: in-dé-fi-nis-sa-ble - Longer, but follows the same pattern of vowel-centered syllables and final stress.
  • responsable: res-pon-sa-ble - Similar structure, with a consonant cluster at the beginning of the root.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

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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.