Using hyphens to join prefixes to root words | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match these prefixes to the appropriate root words.

• ex-

• existing

• self-

• negotiable

• pre-

• girlfriend

• non-

• centred

Answer explanation

The words 'non-negotiable', 'self-centred', 'ex-girlfriend' and 'pre-existing' all use hyphens to join the prefix to the root word. A hyphen can join a prefix to a root word to avoid ambiguity in meaning or spelling.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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.

Answer explanation

A prefix is added to the start of a root word to change its meaning. Sometimes they can be joined with a hyphen, such as in 'pre-exist' and 'co-author', but sometimes they are not, such as in 'recoil' and 'antisocial'.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

Answer explanation

Some pairs of words have the same spelling, but they have a different meaning when a hyphen is used. 'Re-sign' means to sign again. 'Resign' means to leave or quit.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

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

Answer explanation

Some pairs of words have the same spelling, but they have a different meaning when a hyphen is used. 'Re-cover' means to cover something again after it has been done before. 'Recover' means to return to a normal state of health.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.

• coauthor

• redo

• reenter

• cohabit

Answer explanation

Putting a hyphen after the prefix in the words 'co-author' and 're-enter' helps us to read the word, otherwise we might find it difficult to pronounce the word correctly.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'He had a tendency to exadgerate a story to make people laugh.'

Answer explanation

The correct spelling is 'exaggerate'. The word contains the prefix ex- but no obvious root word. The double 'gg' makes a /j/ sound. This is a curriculum word and it is useful to remember in our reading and writing.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F