When we study the processes of word formation, we find that many of them originate from the agglutination (union) of the prefix to the radical. Examples:
arm - beforearm
to say - againstto say
permeable - impermeable
By observing the examples above, we notice that the prefix, in these cases, was directly joined to the radical, that is, it was not necessary to use the hyphen for the derivation of those words. However, there are specific cases in which the use of a hyphen between the prefix and the stem is mandatory. Let's review them now!
You must use a hyphen in words formed by the prefixes:
The) against-, extra-, infra, above- and ultra-, when followed by a radical started by H or by the same vowel in which the prefix ends.
intra-hepatic
infrahuman
against-admiral
B) before-, anti-, archi-andabout-, when followed by a stem beginning with H, or by the same vowel with which the prefix ends.
before-historic
arch-enemy
ç) super-andinter-, when followed by a radical starting with H or R.
super-men
super-magazine
inter-Hellenic
inter-resistant
d) ab-, ad-, ob-, under- and sub-, when followed by a radical started by R.
ab-beg
ad-rogation
w-reticence
under-wheel
sub-Kingdom
and) under-, soto-, vice (or vizo-) and ex- (with a sense of cessation or previous state).
under-pilot
soto-minister
viceDean
ex-principal
f) post-, pre and pro-, when they have meaning and accents themselves. If they are homographic forms (have the same writing) without accents, a hyphen is not used.
Prefix + hyphen |
Homographic forms without hyphens |
Post-University graduate |
postpone |
Pre-school |
pre-establish |
Pro-British |
Proconsul |
g) when the prefix or the prefixed element ends in the same vowel with which the second element begins.
above-earphone
before-existing
anti-imperialist
neo-orthodox
Attention!
- When the second element starts with a different vowel, no if a hyphen is used.
Ultraelegant
- When the second element starts with R, the R and no if a hyphen is used.
extractegimental
- When the second element starts with S, the S and no if a hyphen is used.
supremo
