English spelling can often raise questions about punctuation, compound words, and prefixes. One common concern that arises is whether certain words especially those that start with a prefix like ‘re-‘ should include a hyphen. The word reread is a perfect example. Many writers and students are unsure whether the correct form is reread or re-read. This confusion is understandable because the use of hyphens in English can vary depending on readability, style guide preferences, or the possibility of misinterpretation. To answer this, we need to look into how prefixes, particularly ‘re-,’ function in standard English spelling and how grammar and clarity affect hyphenation choices.
Understanding the Prefix ‘Re-‘
The prefix ‘re-‘ is used to indicate that something is being done again. It’s commonly found in words like:
- rebuild
- redo
- rewrite
- resend
All of these words do not include hyphens. In most cases, ‘re-‘ words are written as one continuous word without any punctuation separating the prefix from the base word. Reread follows the same pattern. It means to read again, and is typically spelled without a hyphen in modern English usage. Dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster, Oxford, and Cambridge list ‘reread’ as a closed compound meaning no hyphen is required.
When Is a Hyphen Used with ‘Re-‘?
Although reread is usually written without a hyphen, there are situations where inserting a hyphen might be appropriate or even necessary. These instances include:
1. Avoiding Confusion or Misreading
If the word could be misread or misunderstood, a hyphen can clarify the meaning. For example:
- Re-sign(sign again) vs.resign(to quit a job)
- Re-cover(cover again) vs.recover(get better)
In such examples, the hyphen helps distinguish between two words that have very different meanings and pronunciations. With ‘reread,’ however, there is usually no such ambiguity. The word reread cannot be confused with another term, so the hyphen is typically unnecessary.
2. Style Guide Recommendations
Different style guides may suggest varying rules. For example:
- The Associated Press (AP) style tends to prefer hyphens in re- words if there’s any chance of misreading.
- Chicago Manual of Style generally supports closed compound forms when the word is commonly understood and not ambiguous.
So if you are writing for a publication that follows AP style, you might use re-read occasionally. However, in standard academic or everyday writing, reread is the accepted form.
Historical Use of Hyphens in Words Like Reread
In older texts or documents, you might come across re-read with a hyphen. This was more common in the past when hyphenation rules were applied more broadly. As language evolves, many such words drop the hyphen to streamline spelling and reflect contemporary usage. Today, modern dictionaries overwhelmingly recognize reread as the correct form.
Impact on Grammar and Clarity
While spelling and grammar often go hand-in-hand, it’s important to remember that spelling conventions like the presence or absence of a hyphen do not usually affect a word’s grammatical role in a sentence. Reread, whether hyphenated or not, still functions as a verb. What matters more is clarity.
Using reread in a sentence:
- I had to reread the topic to understand it fully.
- She will reread the book before the test.
Using re-read is not incorrect in informal writing, especially if the writer wants to emphasize the repetition or follow a personal or editorial style. However, in both examples above, reread is standard and clear.
Usage in Digital Writing and Spell Checkers
Modern spell-check tools, grammar apps, and online editors like Grammarly or Microsoft Word generally recognize reread as correct. If you type re-read, it might not be flagged as incorrect, but it could be highlighted as unnecessary punctuation. That’s another sign that reread without a hyphen is the preferred choice in today’s writing environment.
What About Similar Words?
To better understand the consistency of hyphen use, consider other common re- words:
- Reevaluate(not re-evaluate in most modern style guides)
- Reenter(not re-enter, unless readability is an issue)
- Reapply(commonly accepted as one word)
Reread fits this same pattern. If the word doesn’t lead to confusion and is widely recognized without a hyphen, then there’s no need to insert one.
Exceptions Based on Sentence Structure
In very rare cases, sentence construction may lead a writer to choose a hyphen to break clarity barriers. However, this is typically not necessary with ‘reread.’ The word is short, easy to parse, and lacks a competing homograph that would cause misunderstanding.
For example:
- She had to re-read, re-write, and re-edit the document several times. (Here, the writer might insert hyphens for visual symmetry.)
Even so, most readers would understand the unhyphenated versions just as well: reread, rewrite, and reedit. Consistency matters more than formality in many contexts.
Stick with ‘Reread’ Without the Hyphen
In most situations, the word reread does not require a hyphen. It is considered correct and standard to write it as one word without punctuation. While inserting a hyphen may not be grammatically wrong, it is generally unnecessary and less common in modern writing. Unless your goal is to avoid confusion with a similar-looking word which is not the case with reread you should confidently use the non-hyphenated version.
Whether you’re editing an essay, writing a novel, or composing a professional email, choosing the correct form of a word matters. Understanding when hyphens are required helps improve your grammar, spelling, and overall clarity. In the case of reread, simple is best: no hyphen needed.