Morphemes like the modifier contour may affect the substitutability of a morpheme sequence more than do most other morpheme classes. E.g. in 'The stage struck Barrymore' we have 'NVN'. The 'V' is replaceable by other sequences which have been equated to 'V', e.g. 'collapsed under'. The contour {.} is replaceable by 'BNV' or by, '&NV' (or their equivalents): 'The stage struck Barrymore as it revolved.' 'The stage struck Barrymore, and he collapsed'. In 'the stage-struck Barrymore' we have 'ˈ NˌˌA'. The 'ˈ NˌˌA' is replaceable by 'A': 'The young Barrymore'. The whole sequence 'the stage-struck Barrymore' may occur with the contour {.} (e.g. in an announcement, or in an answer to a question), and more frequently before or after 'V': 'The stage-struck Barrymore kept up the family tradition.' 'I saw the stage-struck Barrymore.' This sequence cannot replace 'The stage struck Barrymore' in the utterances given above. In general, sequences containing ˈ—ˌˌ— are replaceable by one morpheme class, usually that of the second member bearing a single /ˈ/ stress.
- Harris (1951), a pag.282