When deciding between reevaluation or re-evaluation, the choice often depends on your audience, context, and the tone of your writing. In formal settings like academic essays or emails, many follow strict English grammar rules, guided by style guides that prefer one spelling over the other. Understanding the nuances in these situations helps writers be more effective and accurate in how they communicate their purpose and meaning.
In more casual or flexible writing styles, like blogs or conversational posts, the usage may vary depending on personal preference, tone, or the register of the language. What matters most is clarity, consistency, and showing respect for your reader by choosing the most appropriate form. Recognizing when to adjust your spelling based on the setting shows both detail and awareness of evolving language norms and best practices.
What Is Hyphenation—and Why Is It Confusing?
Hyphenation is the practice of using a short dash (‐) to connect words or parts of words. Yet many writers mix up hyphens (‐), en dashes (–), and em dashes (—).
- A hyphen joins a prefix to a base word or creates compound words
- An en dash links ranges (e.g., 1990–2000)
- An em dash separates ideas in a sentence
Confusion often arises with prefixes like re‑. Writers hesitate: “Should it be Reevaluation or Re-evaluation?” To answer, we must look at both meaning and clarity. For example:
- Recover (to get better) vs. re-cover (to cover again)
- Recover the data vs. re-cover the bed
The Prefix “Re‑”: When to Hyphenate and When to Drop It
Meaning and Rules
The prefix re‑ means “again” or “back.” Most re‑ words require no hyphen unless ambiguity appears. Here’s a breakdown:
- No hyphen (closed form): reevaluate, reuse, rewrite
- With hyphen (open form): re-sign (make someone sign again), re-cover (cover again vs. cover again vs. recover)
- Clarity rule: If dropping the hyphen creates ambiguity, keep it.
Quick Tip
If the meaning remains clear without a hyphen, don’t use one. If ambiguity appears, add it.
Official Style Guides: What Do They Say About “Reevaluation”?
Different style guides have subtle preferences. Here’s what they recommend:
| Style Guide | Preferred Spelling | Notes |
| Merriam‑Webster | reevaluation | No hyphen needed |
| APA (7th edition) | reevaluation | Consistent with academic clarity |
| Chicago Manual of Style | reevaluation | Hyphens reserved for clarity only |
| MLA Style Manual | reevaluation | Follows American convention |
American English style overwhelmingly prefers “reevaluation” without a hyphen. British style sometimes uses “re-evaluation”, but even there, it’s shifting toward closed form.
Reevaluation vs. Re‑evaluation: Which Is Correct in the USA?
Understanding Both Forms
- Reevaluation (no hyphen): the accepted, modern American spelling
- Re-evaluation (with hyphen): acceptable but less common
Most academic journals, resumes, and formal documents use the closed form—reevaluation—for clarity and style consistency.
Why Some Writers Hyphenate
- Influence of British English
- Older school teaching or outdated style rules
- Personal preference or misunderstanding
But in US academic and professional writing, reevaluation reigns supreme.
Real-World Examples of Hyphen Misuse
Mistakes happen frequently:
- A manager asks to re-sign a contract—meaning signing again—when they meant “resign” (quit).
- An essay uses re-form (form again) instead of reform (make improvements).
- A student writes “I want to re‑cover the article” instead of recover (consult the data again).
In each case, the hyphen changes meaning—and clarity matters in grades, publications, and job applications.
Why Clarity Always Wins in Writing
Using outdated or British methods can make your writing look inconsistent or out‑of‑step. Clarity and consistency matter for:
- Academic grading
- Business memos or reports
- Professional credibility in emails and proposals
If your writing reads well and avoids confusion, you’re doing it right. When in doubt, follow American style and skip the hyphen unless clarity demands it.
Capitalization & Hyphenation in Titles
Rules for Titles
- In title case, capitalize both parts of a hyphenated compound
- In sentence case, capitalize only the first word (and proper nouns)
Examples
| Style | Right Way | Notes |
| Title Case | Reevaluation of Policies | Matches APA & Chicago style |
| Title Case w/Hypen | Re‑evaluation of Policies | Acceptable, but less common |
| Sentence Case | Reevaluation of policies | Consistent with major style guides |
Unless ambiguity exists, avoid hyphen in titles—Reevaluation of Policies looks cleaner and matches US style.
Modern Trends: Is the Hyphen Going Extinct?
English is shifting toward closed compounds as writing speeds up. Words like email, online, reevaluate show this trend.
In style books and digital writing courses, hyphens increasingly vanish unless they serve clarity. This evolution reflects the pace of our writing habits—and the need for simplicity.
Quick Reference Table: To Hyphenate or Not?
| Word | Hyphenate? | Why |
| Reevaluation | ❌ No | Meaning is clear |
| Re‑elect | ✅ Yes | Avoid confusion with reelect |
| Resign | ❌ No | Clear meaning |
| Re‑sign | ✅ Yes | Different meaning |
| Reestablish | ❌ No | No ambiguity |
| Re‑form | ✅ Yes | Avoid mixing with reform (improve) |
Use this chart in resumes, essays, and emails for confident spelling.
Best Practices for “Re-” Words in Academic and Professional Writing
- Check a trusted US dictionary (e.g. Merriam‑Webster).
- Set your spell checker to US English, not UK.
- Keep a consistent style across your document.
- Use hyphens only when clarity requires them.
- Review your final draft—sometimes you’ll spot an ambiguous word that needs fixing.
Conclusion
Choosing between reevaluation and re-evaluation isn’t about right or wrong—it’s about knowing your audience, the context, and the style you’re writing in. If you’re writing for a formal, academic, or professional setting, go with the hyphenated form (re-evaluation) since it aligns with most English style guides.
For more casual or personal writing, reevaluation is widely accepted and often used. What matters most is clarity, consistency, and keeping your reader’s understanding in mind. So whether you’re rethinking a business idea or rewriting a school paper, your spelling should match the tone and purpose of your message.
FAQs
Q1: Which spelling is more correct—reevaluation or re-evaluation?
A: Both are correct, but re-evaluation is preferred in formal writing based on most style guides like AP Style. Reevaluation is more common in casual use.
Q2: Why does re-evaluation need a hyphen?
A: The hyphen separates the prefix “re-” from the root word “evaluation” to make the meaning (“to evaluate again”) clear and avoid confusion.
Q3: Can I use them interchangeably in writing?
A: In informal contexts like blogs or emails, yes. But in academic or professional writing, stick to re-evaluation to follow style rules.
Q4: Does American English prefer one form over the other?
A: American English uses both, but tends to drop hyphens more often. Still, in professional or academic writing, hyphenation is safer.
Q5: What happens if I use the wrong form?
A: It may not be grammatically wrong, but using the inconsistent or inappropriate form for the situation could cause misunderstanding or seem unpolished.
