English Language & Usage Asked on June 30, 2021
As the title says, I’m wondering if “non-linear” is an acceptable spelling of the word “nonlinear.”
A bit of research on this site turns up Is the use of a hyphen between "non" and an adjective strictly necessary?, in which Monica Cellio commented that some of these “non”-prefixed words have entered the language in unhyphenated form. This is the way I’m used to seeing “nonlinear.” But other people I work with spell it with the hyphen, “non-linear.” Is that valid, or should I point it out as a correction? (This is in a scientific paper going to publication; I wouldn’t care in a less formal context)
More generally, what reference(s) would I look at to answer questions like this in the future, about whether a particular compound can/should be spelled with or without a hyphen?
According to Hyphenated Words: A Guide
You would not use a hyphen with the prefix non unless it is before a proper noun.
Do not hyphenate words prefixed by non, un, in, dis, co, anti, hyper, pre, re, post, out, bi, counter, de, semi, mis, mega, micro, inter, over, and under (among others).
Examples: nonaffiliated, nonemergency, uninfected, inpatient, disorder, disbar, coworker, copayment, antismoking, antimanagement, hyperactive, hyperrealism, preoperative, prejudge, reoccur, readjust, resubmit, postoperative, posttraumatic, outpatient, outmoded, bimonthly, biannual, counterrevolutionary, counterculture, decompress, semifinal, semiannual, misinformed, misprint, megabyte, microcircuit, interconnected, interoffice, overemphasize, override, underrepresent, underestimated.
EXCEPTIONS: When the second element is capitalized, as in Un-American and non-English, a hyphen is used. Also, occasional exceptions exist where the prefix and the second element have not (yet) "grown together," such as de-emphasize, pre-owned, co-op (to distinguish from coop) and anti-inflammatory (and all words with anti- prefix and second element beginning with i)
Correct answer by Michael Eakins on June 30, 2021
The first three dictionaries I looked in all give nonlinear as the entry with no alternate non-linear. Here's NOAD:
nonlinear |nänˈlinēər| adjective
1 not denoting, involving, or arranged in a straight line.
• Mathematics designating or involving an equation whose terms are not of the first degree.
• Physics involving a lack of linearity between two related qualities such as input and output.
• Mathematics involving measurement in more than one dimension.
• not linear, sequential, or straightforward; random : Joyce's stream-of-consciousness, nonlinear narrative.
2 of or denoting digital editing whereby a sequence of edits is stored on computer as opposed to videotape, thus facilitating further editing.
Answered by Robusto on June 30, 2021
The Oxford Dictionary (which I personally consider the reference for the English language) lists "non-linear" as the correct British spelling and no alternative is given. But if you switch to the US English dictionary, the only entry is "nonlinear".
Answered by Sentry on June 30, 2021
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