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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.
