O hyphen it is a graphic sign whose functions are associated with an infinite number of linguistic occurrences. Among these functions, we can mention: linking compound words; join oblique pronouns and some verb forms; separate the syllables of a given word; link some words preceded by prefixes etc.
New deal
With the advent of New Orthographic Reform, there have been some changes regarding its applicability. Thus, given the complexity that is attributed to the sign in question, this article is intended to purpose to highlight them, trying to emphasize, in some cases, what prevailed before and what currently in force. Based on these assumptions, we therefore find:
Cases where the hyphen is used:
- The hyphen is used when the prefix ends in a vowel and the second word starts with the same vowel.
Anti-inflammatory
anti-inflationary
microwave
Microorganism
Important note:
This rule standardizes some exceptions already in force before the Agreement, such as self-observation, auto-bus and counterattack.
- This rule does not apply to the prefixes “-co”, “-pro”, “-re”, even if the second word starts with the same vowel that ends the prefix.
co-obligate
co-acquired
Coordinate
reissue
prootic
proinsulin
- With prefixes, the hyphen is used in front of words beginning with “h”.
unsanitary
antihistoric
extra-human
prohydrotropic
Superman
- The hyphen is used when the prefix ends in a consonant and the second word begins with the same consonant.
interregional
sub-librarian
super resistant
- With the prefix “-sub”, in front of words starting with “r”, the hyphen is used.
sub-regional
sub-race
subkingdom
- In front of the prefixes -beyond, -beyond, -well, -ex, -post, -newly, -without, -vice, the hyphen is used.
overseas
underwater
newborn
landless
vice director
good-natured
- In front of the adverb “mal”, when the second word starts with a vowel or “h”, the hyphen is present.
grumpy
malicious
rude
- With the prefixes “-circum” and “-pan”, in front of words starting with “vowel, m, n or h”, the hyphen is used.
circumnavigator
pan-american
circum-hospital
panhellenism
- With Tupi-Guarani suffixes, such as “-açu”, “-guaçu”, “-mirim”, the hyphen is used.
alligator-açu
caja-mirim
guaré
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Cases where the hyphen NO is employee:
-
The hyphen is no longer used when the prefix ends in a vowel and the second word begins with a different vowel.
| BEFORE | LATER |
| self-evaluation | self-evaluation |
| driving school | driving school |
| self esteem | self esteem |
| co-author | coauthor |
| infrastructure | infrastructure |
| semi-arid | semiarid |
This new rule standardizes some exceptions that existed before the Agreement, such as aerospace, anti-American, socioeconomic, etc.
-
The hyphen is no longer used in certain words that have lost the notion of composition.
| BEFORE | LATER |
| bigwig | bigwig |
| parachute | parachute |
| parachutist | parachutist |
Observation:
→ The hyphen still remains in compound nouns that have lost their individual meaning to build a semantic unit, as well as in those that designate botanical and zoological species.
I saw you
cauliflower
umbrella
Fennel
smelling pepper
- The hyphen is no longer used in noun, adjective, pronominal, verbal, adverbial, prepositional or conjunctive phrases.
Weekend
coffee with milk
Exceptions:
The hyphen still remains in some cases, expressed by:
cologne
pink
- When the second word starts with “r” or “s”, after the prefix ended in a vowel, the hyphen is removed and these consonants are duplicated.
| BEFORE | LATER |
| anteroom | anteroom |
| anti-wrinkle | anti-wrinkle |
| anti social | antisocial |
| self Portrait | self portrait |
| extrasensory | extrasensory |
| adrenal | adrenal |
| counter-reform | counter-reform |
| ultrasound | ultrasound |
Important notes:
- The hyphen will be kept when the prefixes end with “r” and the second element starts with the same letter.
hyper exquisite
interregional
super romantic
super-racist
- The hyphen is not used when the prefix ends in a vowel and the second element starts with a consonant different from “r” or “s”.
draft
auto part
paycheck
extra strong
ultramodern
- The hyphen should not be used when the prefix ends with a consonant and the second word starts with a vowel or another different consonant.
hypermarket
hyperacidity
intercity
underemployment
Super interesting
overpopulation
- Before the adverb “evil”, when the second word starts with a consonant, the hyphen is not used.
malspoken
ill-governed
underdone
mistreated
scruffy
By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DUARTE, Vânia Maria do Nascimento. "Use of the hyphen"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/emprego-do-hifen.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
