Prefixes: Solid Words or Hyphenated?

Margie Wakeman WellsGeneral, The Hyphen Leave a Comment

The rule is that a prefix is added to the front of a word to make a solid word.

…preordained
…postprandial
…overrated
…underfed

However, when there is already a word that has a different meaning, the prefix should be hyphenated. This usually occurs with the prefix re-.

…He decided the only choice was to resign.
…We returned to the bank to re-sign the papers.

…He was looking for redress for the grievance.
…Her mother demanded that she re-dress for the more formal occasion.

And here is a really fun one.

…The decision was made that the company should be unionized.
…It was an un-ionized element.

Happy punctuating!

Margie

 

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