Hyphenation ofsous-utilisait

Analysis of "sous-utilisait"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "sous-utilisait" is the imperfect indicative third-person singular of the verb "sous-utiliser" (to underutilize). It's pronounced roughly as /su.z‿y.ti.lize/. The liaison between "sous" and "utilisait" is common and expected.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: sous- (Latin sub- meaning "under"). Morphological function: intensifier, indicating a lesser degree of the action.
• Root: utilis- (Latin utilis meaning "useful"). Morphological function: provides the core meaning of the verb.
• Suffix: -ait (from Latin -abat). Morphological function: imperfect indicative, 3rd person singular.

4. Stress Identification:

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

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/su.z‿y.ti.lize/

6. Edge Case Review:

The liaison between "sous" and "utilisait" is a key consideration. The 's' of "sous" is pronounced and linked to the 'u' of "utilisait". This impacts the syllabification and phonetic realization.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word is exclusively a verb form. Syllabification doesn't significantly shift based on grammatical role, as it's already a conjugated verb.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: To underutilize, to make insufficient use of.
• Grammatical Category: Verb (imperfect indicative)
• Translation: He/She/It was underutilizing.
• Synonyms: négliger (to neglect), sous-employer (to underemploy)
• Antonyms: exploiter pleinement (to fully exploit), utiliser à fond (to use to the fullest)
• Examples:
  • "Il sous-utilisait ses compétences." (He was underutilizing his skills.)
  • "Elle sous-utilisait les ressources disponibles." (She was underutilizing the available resources.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• utilisait: /y.ti.lize/ - Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
• sous-estimer: /su.z‿e.sti.me/ - Similar prefix "sous-", liaison, stress on the final syllable.
• visualiser: /vi.zwa.lize/ - Similar ending "-lize", stress on the final syllable.

The consistent stress on the final syllable and the presence of liaison in words starting with "sous-" demonstrate the regularity of French phonological patterns.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

• sou: /su/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel nuclei. No exceptions.
• s-u: /z‿y/ - Liaison creates a new syllable. Rule: Liaison creates a consonant-vowel sequence forming a new syllable. Exception: Liaison is optional in some contexts, but common here.
• ti: /ti/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are broken before vowels. No exceptions.
• li: /li/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel nuclei. No exceptions.
• se: /ze/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are broken before vowels. No exceptions.

Exceptions & Special Cases:

• The liaison between "sous" and "utilisait" is a crucial element. Without it, the syllabification would be different.
• French syllabification generally avoids leaving a single consonant at the beginning of a syllable unless it's part of a consonant cluster.

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel Nucleus Rule: Syllables are built around vowel sounds.
2. Liaison Rule: Consonant-vowel sequences across word boundaries create new syllables.
3. Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are broken before vowels.