What is the grammatical analysis of the word "kitten"? - briefly
The word "kitten" is a noun, specifically a common noun, which refers to a young cat. It is also considered a diminutive form, indicating a smaller or younger version of its base noun, "cat."
What is the grammatical analysis of the word "kitten"? - in detail
The word "kitten" is a noun, specifically a common noun. It belongs to the category of countable nouns, meaning it can be preceded by an indefinite article (a or an) or a definite article (the), and it can form plurals. For instance, we can say "a kitten," "the kitten," or "kittens."
In terms of morphology, "kitten" is derived from the noun "kit" by adding the diminutive suffix "-en." This suffix indicates a smaller version of something, often conveying endearment or cuteness. The base form "kit" itself is a shortened version of the word "kitten," and it also carries the same meaning but in a more general sense.
Phonetically, "kitten" consists of two syllables: /ˈkɪ.tən/. The primary stress falls on the first syllable, which is characteristic of many English words ending with "-en."
Semantically, "kitten" refers to a young cat, typically under one year old. It is used colloquially and often in a context that evokes feelings of tenderness or affection towards small animals.
In summary, the grammatical analysis of the word "kitten" includes its classification as a common countable noun, its morphological derivation from "kit," its phonetic structure with primary stress on the first syllable, and its semantic meaning as a young cat.