Hyphen with Prefixes
The Hyphen
Rulebase Summary
Use a hyphen between a prefix and a word that is capitalized, unusual, a number, or capable of being misread (re-charge vs. recharge, re-collect vs. recollect). Common prefixes such as anti, bi, co, counter, de, macro, micro, mid, mini, multi, non, post, pre, pro, semi, and re are generally printed solid.
Do not double the letters a or i — insert a hyphen instead (ultra-antagonistic, anti-inflammatories, semi-indirect). Although pre and post are typically attached without a hyphen (pretrial, postdoctoral), Black's Law Dictionary hyphenates expressions like post-trial discovery. Always hyphenate self and quasi. Hyphenate ex and then when they mean 'former' (ex-husband, then-president).
When a prefix is added to a compound noun that is already hyphenated or spaced, add a hyphen after the prefix and keep the original compound intact (post-high school, pre-tax-exempt, non-income-producing).
Examples
A. She is his exwife.
A. She is his ex-wife.
The prefix ex meaning 'former' always takes a hyphen.
Q. Was this a presurgical or postsurgical complication?
Q. Was this a presurgical or postsurgical complication?
Pre and post are generally attached solid when the base word is not capitalized, unusual, or prone to misreading.
Transcript Notes
If nonce words or coined words appear that require clarity, using the hyphen is acceptable. When a prefix is added to a hyphened or spaced compound noun, add a hyphen after the prefix and keep the compound adjective as it originally appeared (post-high school, pre-tax-exempt, non-income-producing).
The prefix 'co-' is in transition toward solid forms, but readability should guide the choice — some combinations look awkward as solid words (codefendant, cosponsor) and may be better kept hyphenated (co-defendant, co-sponsor).
Style Guide References (9)
Morson's
Morson's
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP