Using hyphens to join prefixes to root words | English

Starter quiz

Select the prefixes.
- abc
- anti- ✓
- first
- -ly
- inter- ✓
What does the prefix co- usually mean? Example words are 'coordinate' or 'copilot'.
- with ✓
- before
- against
What does the prefix inter- usually mean? Example words are 'international' or 'intercity'.
- under or nearly
- make the opposite or undo
- between ✓
What does the word 'recover' mean?
- to return to a normal state of health or strength after illness or setback ✓
- to get back something that was lost or misplaced
- to find or learn something again
Match these words to their meanings.
- re-sign
  
  ⇔
  
  sign again ✓
- ex-wife
  
  ⇔
  
  a former (past) wife ✓
- self-belief
  
  ⇔
  
  belief in yourself ✓
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Please reewind the film.'
- 'rewind' ✓

Match these prefixes to the appropriate root words.
- non-
  
  ⇔
  
  negotiable ✓
- self-
  
  ⇔
  
  centred ✓
- ex-
  
  ⇔
  
  girlfriend ✓
- pre-
  
  ⇔
  
  existing ✓
Select the statements about prefixes which are correct.
- A prefix almost always alters the spelling of a root word.
- A prefix is added to the start of a root word to change its meaning. ✓
- A prefix is added to the end of a root word to change its meaning.
- A prefix can sometimes be joined to a root word with a hyphen. ✓
- A prefix is always joined to a root word with a hyphen.
Fill in the gap in the following sentence: 'Luca decided to __________ from his position on the school council to focus on other activities.'
- re-sign
- resign ✓
- re-cover
- recover
Fill in the gap in the following sentence: 'Dad decided to __________ the old chair with a bright, new fabric to make it look brand new.'
- re-sign
- resign
- re-cover ✓
- recover
Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.
- coauthor ✓
- redo
- reenter ✓
- cohabit
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'He had a tendency to exadgerate a story to make people laugh.'
- 'exaggerate' ✓

A hyphen can be used to join a prefix to a root word but there are no set rules.
Hyphens are more commonly used to prevent two vowels appearing next to each other e.g. re-enter and co-ordinate.
Hyphens are often used with the prefixes ex- and self- e.g. ex-president and self-care.
Hyphens can join a prefix to a root word to avoid ambiguity in meaning e.g. re-cover or recover.
How to spell the curriculum words: interrupt and exaggerate.

Pupils may start using hyphens for all prefixes.

Emphasise that not all prefixes require a hyphen - some prefixes use them more frequently, but others rarely do.

Prefix - a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Hyphen - a punctuation mark that can join a prefix to a base word to avoid spelling or meaning ambiguity