Reevaluation or Re-evaluation? 🤔 Understanding the Hyphen Rule in American English

Have you ever paused mid-sentence, unsure whether to write “reevaluation” or “re-evaluation”? You’re not alone.

This tiny hyphen sparks big confusion for writers, editors, and even professional linguists. English evolves constantly—and so do its spelling rules.

But in the battle of reevaluation vs. re-evaluation, there’s a clear winner—especially if you follow American English conventions.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly when to hyphenate, why reevaluation has become the standard in American writing, and how to apply the rule consistently in professional contexts. Let’s untangle this once and for all.

Hyphens may seem minor, but they can make or break clarity. The difference between resign and re-sign isn’t just a dash—it’s an entirely different meaning.

In everyday writing, the “re-” prefix creates confusion because it attaches to so many words. Should you re-enter or reenter? Re-examine or reexamine? Reevaluation or re-evaluation?

These inconsistencies arise because English borrows from multiple linguistic traditions—Latin, French, and Germanic roots all collide. Over time, the trend in American English has shifted toward simplification—dropping hyphens unless they’re absolutely necessary for meaning.

Let’s explore why that is.

The Role of Hyphenation in American English

Hyphens serve three main purposes in writing:

To avoid confusion (re-cover vs. recover)
To improve readability, especially when double vowels occur (re-enter)
To connect compound adjectives (well-known author)

In American English, the preference leans toward omitting hyphens when words are clearly understood without them.

However, British English tends to keep more hyphens, especially with prefixes like re-, co-, and pre-.

Example:
American: reevaluate
British: re-evaluate

This doesn’t mean one is wrong—it just reflects evolving conventions. The American approach focuses on ease and speed of reading, while the British style leans toward tradition and visual separation.

The Prefix “Re-”: Function and Hidden Pitfalls

The prefix “re-” means again or back. It’s used to indicate repetition or reversal of an action.

Word	Meaning
Rebuild	Build again
Reenter	Enter again
Reevaluate	Evaluate again
Reopen	Open again

But problems appear when attaching re- creates ambiguity or awkward visuals—especially when the second word starts with an “e.”

For example:

Reelect vs. re-elect
Reedit vs. re-edit
Reenter vs. re-enter

Both forms appear in print, but American dictionaries typically prefer no hyphen unless the word looks confusing without one.

Reevaluation vs. Re-evaluation: The Definitive Answer

So which is correct—reevaluation or re-evaluation?

✅ In American English:

“Reevaluation” (no hyphen) is the standard form.

You’ll find it listed as the main entry in:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
American Heritage Dictionary
AP Stylebook

🇬🇧 In British English:

“Re-evaluation” (with hyphen) remains more common.
It aligns with Oxford English Dictionary and UK academic conventions.

Corpus and Usage Data

A quick look at language corpora (like Google Ngram Viewer) shows that “reevaluation” has overtaken “re-evaluation” in American usage since the late 20th century. The trend reflects broader shifts—fewer hyphens and simpler spellings.

In short:
American English = Reevaluation
British English = Re-evaluation

Both are correct, but choose one form and stay consistent throughout your text.

Exceptions: When You Should Keep the Hyphen

Even in American English, some re- words need the hyphen for clarity or pronunciation. The key is whether removing it changes the meaning or makes reading awkward.

Keep the Hyphen When:

The base word starts with “e” (to avoid double vowels):
- re-enter
- re-educate
- re-enact
- re-edit
Omitting it changes meaning:
- re-sign (sign again) vs. resign (quit)
- re-cover (cover again) vs. recover (heal)
It helps readability or prevents mispronunciation:
- re-creation (making again) vs. recreation (leisure activity)

Here’s a quick guide:

Word	Correct Form	Reason
reevaluate	No hyphen	Common US form
re-enter	Hyphenate	Avoid double “ee”
re-cover	Hyphenate	Prevent meaning change
reedit	Often hyphenated	For clarity
re-sign	Must hyphenate	Different word otherwise

Tip: If the double vowel slows your reading or changes the meaning, keep the hyphen.

Why Hyphens Still Matter: Clarity and Meaning

Some writers assume hyphens are outdated. Not so. They’re small but mighty tools for precision.

Consider these examples:

re-sign vs. resign — one means to renew, the other to quit.
re-cover vs. recover — one’s about furniture, the other about health.
re-creation vs. recreation — one means making something again, the other means having fun.

These tiny distinctions can completely alter tone and understanding.

“Clarity is the writer’s responsibility. If a missing hyphen confuses the reader, it’s the writer who failed.”
— Bryan A. Garner, Modern English Usage

In academic or professional writing, such nuances matter even more. Reports, legal documents, and technical manuals demand precision—one misplaced hyphen could change contractual meaning.

Hyphenation in Professional and Academic Contexts

Different style guides have distinct preferences. Here’s how the major ones handle re- prefixes:

Style Guide	Rule for “Re-” Prefix	Example
APA (7th Edition)	No hyphen unless needed for clarity	reevaluate, re-enter
MLA (9th Edition)	Follow Merriam-Webster	reevaluate
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)	Avoid unnecessary hyphens	reevaluate
AP Stylebook	Use hyphen only when needed	reevaluate, re-enter

So, for formal US writing, reevaluation is the rule—not the exception.

When writing for international or academic audiences, consider noting both forms once for clarity:

“The term reevaluation (or re-evaluation in British English) refers to reassessing an idea or situation.”

That single acknowledgment shows awareness of both linguistic systems and keeps your work globally readable.

Capitalization Rules for Titles and Headings

Titles add another layer of complexity. When you capitalize re- words, keep in mind how hyphens affect style.

In Title Case:

Correct: Reevaluation of Market Strategies
If hyphenated: Re-evaluation of Market Strategies

If the word follows standard capitalization rules, only capitalize the first part of a hyphenated word unless style guides specify otherwise.

Common Mistake:

❌ Re-Evaluation of Company Policy
✅ Re-evaluation of Company Policy

Automated grammar tools sometimes misread hyphenated prefixes. When in doubt, check a reputable dictionary or your preferred style guide.

Practical Tips: How to Decide Instantly

When you’re unsure whether to hyphenate a “re-” word, run through this quick 3-step checklist:

Does removing the hyphen change meaning?
- If yes → keep the hyphen (re-sign, re-cover).
Does it create an awkward double vowel?
- If yes → keep the hyphen (re-enter).
Does your style guide or dictionary list a preferred form?
- Follow it (reevaluate is standard in US dictionaries).

Here’s a table you can bookmark:

Prefix Word	Use Hyphen?	Example in a Sentence
reevaluate	❌ No	We must reevaluate our budget.
re-enter	✅ Yes	Please re-enter your password.
re-cover	✅ Yes	The worker will re-cover the seats.
reedit	✅ Often	She will re-edit the footage.
reelection	❌ No	He announced his reelection campaign.
reexamine	❌ No	The committee will reexamine the proposal.

The Evolution of Hyphen Usage: Past, Present, Future

Hyphenation has a fascinating history. Early English texts in the 1800s used more hyphens, reflecting a closer connection to Old English and French word structures.

Then:

Re-evaluate, co-operate, pre-exist

Now:

Reevaluate, cooperate, preexist

Modern publishers and editors favor cleaner forms because readers process them faster. Technology also plays a role—spellcheckers and word processors recognize non-hyphenated forms more readily.

Fun Fact:

Merriam-Webster has quietly dropped hyphens from hundreds of entries over the years as usage evolved. For example:

Email replaced e-mail
Online replaced on-line

The same linguistic shift explains why reevaluation now dominates American English.

Looking ahead, expect even fewer hyphens as spelling continues to simplify.

Conclusion

Here’s the takeaway:
In American English, write reevaluation—no hyphen.
In British English, use re-evaluation.

But the golden rule? Prioritize clarity and consistency over rigid conformity. Your goal is to make meaning instantly clear.

Best practices to remember:

Drop the hyphen unless it prevents confusion or misreading.
Always check an authoritative style guide or dictionary.
Stay consistent throughout a document.
Be aware of your audience’s dialect—US vs. UK.

A single hyphen can shift meaning, but mastering its use shows precision and professionalism.

FAQs

Is “reevaluation” one word or two?

It’s one word in American English. British writers may use re-evaluation with a hyphen, but both mean the same thing.

Why do some dictionaries still show “re-evaluation”?

Because British English retains more hyphens for tradition and clarity. American English dropped many hyphens as spelling modernized.

Which is correct in academic writing: reevaluation or re-evaluation?

In U.S. academic writing, use reevaluation. In U.K. publications, re-evaluation is correct. Always follow the institution’s or journal’s style guide.

Are both reevaluate and re-evaluate acceptable?

Yes. They’re variants of the same word. The hyphenated version is less common in American writing.

Why do some “re-” words still need hyphens?

To prevent ambiguity. Words like re-sign and re-cover have completely different meanings without the hyphen.

Sameer

I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️