Grammar Hyphens with Common Prefixes, Part 2 |
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Hyphens with Common Prefixes, Part 2

The current trend is to do away with unnecessary hyphens with common prefixes.

Examples:
noncompliance
copayment
semiconscious
unending

However, there are exceptions.

Exception: Hyphenate all words beginning with the prefix self.

Examples:
self-assured
self-respect
self-addressed

Exception: Use a hyphen with the prefix ex.

Example: His ex-wife sued for nonsupport.

Exception: Hyphenate prefixes when they come before proper nouns.

Examples:
un-American
non-English speaker

If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.

6 responses to “Hyphens with Common Prefixes, Part 2”

  1. Karen says:

    Do you hyphenate minutes? For example, is it proper to say:

    ten minute
    ten minutes
    ten-minute
    ten-minutes

  2. Marc Vieira says:

    Which constructions below are correct, hyphen or no hyphen?

    No deaths in a platoon of 200 soldiers.

    The no-death platoon
    The no-death phenomenon

    or

    The no deaths platoon
    The no deaths phenomenon

  3. David Thomas says:

    To denote a category of persons who are not members of the Senate, may one write “non- Senate members” (space after hyphen?

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