Prefix "re"

[tung quoc]

Dear teachers,

Can the prefix "re" work with any verbs?
Ex: Rewrite, recall, resay, resing....
Is there a rule?

Thanks
Quoc

PS: We write rewrite or re_write or re-write?

[Pamela]

To tell the truth, I can't give you the clear elucidation but I'll try to be correct. Prefix re- has the colour of doing smth again . In my humble opinion this prefix is mostly used with terminative verbs though I'm not sure. You may use hyphen to distinguish between pairs.

[Yankee]

.
You can also rethink a decision, retake a test, reapply for a job, etc.

As Pamela mentioned, the prefix "re" has the sense of "again". You can easily add it to many verbs. But one of your examples - the word recall - is a word that already has a number of different meanings.

Normally you don't need a hyphen, but sometimes people use a hyphen to make the word easier to read (for example, when the base word begins with an E):

re-evaluate / reevaluate
re-enter / reenter

You should also keep in mind that often a different word is better. For example, using the word "repeat" would probably be preferable to using "resay" in most cases.

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[tung quoc]

Dear teacher,

So,the prefix "re_" can be used with any verbs. Is it right?
"Recall" means "call again".Is it right?

Quoc

[Yankee]

Hi Quoc

[tung quoc]

Hi Pamela,

I don't understand the meaning of "terminative verbs".
Coul you explain me?

Thanks
Quoc