Hyphenation Rules for 35 Prefixes (and 1 Suffix)

Hyphenation Rules for 35 Prefixes (and 1 Suffix) Hyphenation Rules for 35 Prefixes (and 1 Suffix) Hyphenation Rules for 35 Prefixes (and 1 Suffix) By Mark Nichol There was a time when prefixes were routinely attached to root words with hyphens, but that time has, for the most part, passed. Now, hyphens are the exception, as detailed in the following list, which also provides simple definitions. ante (before): closed anti (against): closed except before a proper noun or a word starting with i bi (twice, two): closed bio (life): closed co (with): generally closed; exceptions include co-op and co-opt counter (opposite): closed cyber (computer): closed extra (beyond): closed except before a word starting with a hyper (above, beyond, excessively): closed infra (below, within): closed inter (between): closed intra (between, during, within): closed mega (large): closed except before a word starting with a meta (behind, beyond, changed, later): closed except before a word starting with a micro (small): closed mid (middle of): closed except with numbers, proper nouns, and terms of more than one word mini (short, small): closed multi (many): closed except before a word starting with i neo (new): closed except with select proper nouns; check dictionary (lowercase and hyphenate if attached to proper name and term is not in dictionary) non (not): closed except if attached to hyphenated phrase (use en dash instead of hyphen if attached to term of more than one word) over (above): closed post (after): closed except before a proper noun (use en dash instead of hyphen if attached to term of more than one word) pre (before): closed except before a proper noun (sometimes capitalized in a proper noun- check dictionary; use en dash instead of hyphen if attached to term of more than one word) pro (for): closed except in pro-life and before a proper noun proto (beginning, first): closed pseudo (false): closed except before a proper noun re (again, back): closed except to avoid confusion as in resign (quit) versus re-sign (sign again) semi (half of, partly, partially): closed except before a proper noun or a word starting with i sub (almost, beneath, below, less than): closed super (beyond, superior): closed supra (beyond): closed trans (across, beyond, through): closed ultra (beyond): closed un (not): closed except before a proper noun or a word starting with u under (below): closed fold (multiplied by): closed except with numerals or with spelled-out numbers that are hyphenated Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"50 Types of Propaganda50+ Words That Describe Animals (Including Humans)