Thanks to Haqiqat for raising this query.

Re(-) is the prefix of repetition, meaning ‘afresh’ or ‘anew’.

Words beginning with this prefix are not usually hyphenated.

Examples:

reuse; reaffirm; regroup; reshape; reopen; reset There are two exceptions to this rule.

(1) When the second element begins with the letter ‘e’.

Examples:

re-entry; re-edit; re-elect; re-emphasise; re-enact; re-examine

(2) To distinguish words that are spelt the same as the hyphenated word that includes the prefix, but have different meanings. Even this hyphen is often omitted if the meaning is unambiguous, but it is best included if there is any doubt. Note that, in spoken language, we pronounce the words differently, using the ‘e’ sound for to the act of repetition and a short ‘i’ sound otherwise.

Examples:

re-cover = to put a new cover on something

recover = to get well

re-form = to form again

reform = to improve

re-count = to count again

recount = to tell a story

Note that in the following example, the first version is hyphenated to avoid confusion, whereas the second need not be as it is less ambiguous.

Re-counting the votes is referred to as a recount.