To divide any word properly, a knowledge of its etymology is of value, but this knowledge is not so generally useful as that of its correct pronunciation. He who pronounces and emphasizes correctly is seldom in error as to the right division of a word.
DIVISIONS BETWEEN CONSONANTS
When two consonants meet between vowels, and the syllable ends on one consonant, divisions are often properly made between the consonants, as:
- advan-tage
- appel-lant
- appel-lee
- finan-cier
- for-tune
- foun-da-tion
- fur-ther
- gar-nish
- gram-mar
- impor-tant
- In-dian
- mad-der
- mar-ket
- mil-lion
- moun-tain
- plain-tiff
- Rich-mond
- scur-rilous
- struc-ture
- Wil-liam
The divisions here offered are not always on the radicals; it is the pronunciation that determines the place of division. This observation concerning pronunciation is of value in deciding the position of the doubled consonant. When three consonants follow a short vowel, the consonants that must be pronounced together should make a separate syllable.
- ac-tress
- breth-ren
- butch-er
- chil-dren
- chuc-kle
- frus-trate
- in-struct-or
- pitch-er
- punch-eon
- trem-ble
- trench-er
- twin-kle
