The prefixes They are groups of letters that are placed before a word, allowing a new one to be formed with a completely different meaning. One of the most used in the Spanish language is the prefix re-, and in the same way that others can generate doubts when having to write it, asking ourselves if we should write it together with the word that it accompanies or, on the contrary, separately and even with a hyphen. If you want to solve this question, pay attention to the following OneHowTo article and discover how to use the prefix re correctly.
Meaning of the prefix re
According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy, the prefix re- can be used under the following meanings:
- “Repetition”. Examples: redo or rebuild.
- “Backward movement”. Examples: rewind or reflow.
- “Denotes intensification or emphasis.” Example: recharge.
- “Opposition or resistance”. Example: to refuse.
It should be noted that the prefix re- can also be used together adjectives or adverbs to reinforce its intensification value, and which in this case should be joined with other syllables such as -tea or –stay, for instance: good, good, good.
How to write the prefix re: together, separated or hyphenated
According to the rules established by the RAE regarding the use of prefixes, everyone must be written next to the base word that precede. Thus, in general, you should not use the hyphen or write the prefix re- separate from the term it accompanies.
Examples:
rebuild, revalue, disgust, reactivate, early.
Can you use the prefix re with hyphen or write it separately?
It is convenient to point out that although the writing rules referring to prefixes do contemplate the use of the hyphen when the base word begins with a capital letter, as well as writing them separately if several words that have a single meaning follow, in the case of prefix re- are not applicable these cases.
And it is that, due to the meanings to which it refers, it does not make sense to use it in front of proper names or to precede a group of words with a unitary meaning. However, these cases are applicable in prefixes such as anti- or former-, for example in anti labor disputes or ex-beatle.
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