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Question

Difficulty: HardWord and Syllable Stress

Which of the following syllabified options indicates the correct primary stress placement for the word hypothetical?

  1. hy-po-THET-i-calAnswer
  2. B
    HY-po-thet-i-cal
  3. C
    hy-PO-thet-i-cal
  4. D
    hy-po-thet-I-cal

Answer

The form hy-po-THET-i-cal correctly places primary stress on the third syllable.
The word 'hypothetical' is a five-syllable adjective containing the suffix '-ical'. In English phonology, words with '-ic' and '-ical' suffixes systematically assign primary stress to the syllable immediately before the suffix. Thus, primary stress falls on the third syllable, rendered as hy-po-THET-i-cal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Divide the word into its constituent syllables
hy - po - thet - i - cal (5 syllables)
Accurate syllabification is necessary to locate syllable boundaries correctly.
2
Identify morphological suffixes and apply phonological stress rules
The suffix is '-ical', which assigns primary stress to the syllable immediately preceding it ('thet').
Adjectives ending in '-ic' or '-ical' consistently place primary accent on the antepenultimate or pre-suffix syllable.
3
Select the option reflecting stress on 'THET'
hy-po-THET-i-cal
Capitalization of 'THET' indicates primary syllable stress.

Key Concept

Suffix-conditioned word stress in English phonology (-ical rule)
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Topics

Word and Syllable Stress

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