What Does Prefix Ex Mean

Writing Tips: When to Use a Hyphen with the Prefix "Ex"

"Ex" is a common prefix in English. But how you punctuate this prefix may depend on how you employ information technology. So, when do you need a hyphen between "ex" and the word following it? Check out our guide to brand sure your writing is e'er error free.

Ex (Out of or From)

"Ex" appears without a hyphen at the start of many English language words. This comes from a Latin word meaning "out of" or "from." We still encounter this in several mod words:

To exit a edifice means to get out of information technology.

To exclude someone means to shut them out .

If something is outside , it is outside .

This origin is less obvious for other words, such every bit "feel" or "explain." Simply if nosotros look at where these words come from, in that location is usually a connection. "Experience," for instance, essentially means "effort out." And the word "explain" can be broken downwards into parts meaning "flatten out," giving information technology its sense of "make plain."

The key thing to recall is that none of these words are hyphenated. In fact, in that location is only one use of "ex" that does require a hyphen, as we will see next.

Ex- (Former)

More recently, "ex" has entered utilize with a hyphen as a prefix meaning "former":

She is his ex-girlfriend. They carve up up years ago.

The ex-president was in office from 1980 to 1984.

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He is the ex-director of Liverpool Football game Club.

In any instance like this, you volition demand a hyphen between "ex" and the main word.

The cardinal exception to this rule is if you are using the word "ex" on its own. In this case, it is an informal term used to refer to a quondam romantic partner. For case:

I saw my ex the other solar day, just we didn't speak.

I'thou good friends with my exes.

Since this is a standalone word rather than a prefix, it does non demand a hyphen.

Summary: When to Use a Hyphen with "Ex"

The prefix "ex" appears at the start of many English language words. However, the correct punctuation for a give-and-take volition depend on how you are using this prefix:

When using "ex" to mean "quondam," add a hyphen (due east.g., ex-boyfriend).
In all other cases, do not add a hyphen after "ex" (e.g., exit, explode, explain).

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