Prefixes
Prefixed words require special attention in writing because a single word may have different meanings when the prefix is hyphenated and when it is not.
In This Article
General
The guidelines in this Style Guide refer to the following prefixes:
- Anti-
- Counter-
- De-
- Non-
- Pre-
- Re-
- Semi-
- Ultra-
- Un-
Guidelines
- Always check if the prefixed word exists in a hyphenated or non-hyphenated form by referring to a trustful resource such as the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.
- Do not hyphenate the prefixed word if it does not have an established spelling.
- If the prefixed word has an established non-hyphenated spelling, make sure that the form you want to use conveys the meaning you desire to express. If the non-hyphenated usage creates an ambiguous statement, hyphenate it.
| Not that good | Much better |
|---|---|
|
Recreate the environment. (Typically, "to recreate" means "to amuse, to entertain".) |
Re-createthe environment. (Typically, "to re-create" means "to create again from the ground up".) |
| If a non-critical issue occurs, ignore it and continue your work. | When a noncritical issue occurs, ignore it and continue your work. |