Hyphenated Prefixes and Suffixes

Use a hyphen after a prefix followed by a proper noun or proper adjective.

Examples: mid-June     pre-Columbian     Afro-American

Use a hyphen in words beginning with the prefixes all-, ex- (meaning "former"), and self- and in words ending with the suffix -elect.

Incorrect: selfpropelled     ex-treme
(Prefix self- needs hyphen. The prefix in extreme does not mean "former.")

Correct: all-knowing     ex-wife     self-propelled     mayor-elect     extreme     exacting


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