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Use Hyphens to Join Prefixes to Root Words 2

In this worksheet, students consider further rules for using hyphens when adding prefixes to root words.

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'Use Hyphens to Join Prefixes to Root Words 2' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 2

Year:  Year 5 11+ worksheets

Curriculum topic:   English

Curriculum subtopic:   Spelling: Prefixes & Suffixes

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

When we add prefixes to root words we sometimes need to use a hyphen (-).

 

If the prefix ends in a vowel and the root word begins with a vowel, a hyphen is often used.

de-ice

pre-order

 

A hyphen is also used if the root word is a proper noun or an adjective that needs a capital letter. In the example below, European has a capital letter because it is formed from the proper noun Europe.

mid-December

trans-European

 

The prefixes all-, cross- and self- always have a hyphen.

all-powerful

cross-channel

self-aware

 

The prefix ex- always has a hyphen when it means former, or before.

ex-president

ex-husband

 

However, when the prefix ex- means going out, or getting bigger, it doesn't have a hyphen.

explode

expand

 

In this worksheet you can practise deciding whether or not to use a hyphen when adding prefixes to root words.

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