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  • Chemistry 1997
  • Music 1997
  • Nemeth Mathematics 1972
    Reference Sheets
  • Summary of Rules
  • Contractions List
  • Braille contractions
  • Typical Problem words

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    1. General Rules for Use of Contractions

    1. Contractions are to be used:

      1. When letters they represent fall in the same syllable.
        (st)(and)(ing)e(gg)plants(ea)manro(of)
        (st)i(ff)ly(in)(for)mb(right)s(and)

      2. When they overlap a minor syllable division.
        a(st)r(ing)(en)tm(ed)iocreh(and)leR(en)o
        T(en)(ness)eeg(en)etic(en)igmas(of)a
        K(ing)(st)on S(ea)ttle(Ed)(en)t(in)y
        fe(st)ival(and)anteL(er)oyd(en)y

        1. The ar contraction is used when it overlaps syllable division between the prefix a and a root or base word beginning with r.
          (ar)(ound)(ar)is(en)(ar)ose

        2. The ea contraction is used when the endings al, an, or ate are added to a root or base word ending with e.
          v(en)(er)(ea)lgigant(ea)np(er)m(ea)te

      3. When they contain the letters a, e, or o in a prefix or suffix and are not part of a diphthong or diaeresis ae or oe.
        co(ed)uc(ation)emb(ar)go(ed)
        co(en)zyme(sh)ampoo(ed)
        co(er)ceboo(ed)

    2. Contractions are not to be used:

      1. When their use would alter the usual braille form of a base word to which a prefix or suffix has been added.
        ov(er)bl(en)d(ed)unlesson(ed)re-ally
        unblemi(sh)(ed)ity-bityfruity
        ov((er)eat(er)ssquallyuneasy

        Exceptions:

        l(in(ea)ge(dis)(ea)se

      2. When they overlap a major syllable division.

        1. Between root or base word and a prefix or suffix.
          (ch)angea(ble)(mish(and)leprounion
          denom(in)atemistru(st)profess
          (in)frar(ed)binomialacreage

        2. Between base words joined to form a compound word.
          pa(in)stak(ing)Jamest(ow)ndumbell
          sweethea(ar)th(ea)ddresstoenail
          p(in)eapplekettledrumtwofold

        3. Between consonants that are pronounced separately.
          m(en)(in)gitisl(in)g(er)ieW(in)gate
          (sh)anghai(ed)is(in)glasst(ow)hee
          (St)al(in)gradd(in)(gh)yVandyke

      3. When letters in the contraction would fall in the diphtong or diaeresis ae or oe.
        praenom(en)Goer(ing)maenad
        roetg(en)subpoenaaerial
        diaeresisPhoenixCaen
        Exceptions:
        cano(ed)(sh)o(ed)to(ed)

      4. When the following vowel diagraphs or trigraphs are involved: ee followed by a, oi followed by ty, oo followed by ne, and eau preceded by bl.
        hoity-toity(Sh)eeanMooney
        tabl(ea)udacoityBoone

      5. When their use affects pronunciation by:
        1. Causing difficult in pronunciation
          hi(gg)ledy-pi(gg)ledyg(en)ealogyimp(er)mea(ble)
          battledoreoleag(in)(ou)sAiredale

        2. Disturbing pronunciation of a consonantal diagraph or trigraph.
          P(ar)(the)nonsph(er)es