Words with -able and -ible

Key Notes:

Welcome to our lesson on words ending with the suffixes ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’! These suffixes are powerful tools that transform verbs into adjectives, adding a specific nuance to their meaning. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Suffixes

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function. ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’ are two common suffixes that mean ‘capable of’ or ‘worthy of’. They typically turn verbs into adjectives.

-able: Meaning and Usage

The suffix ‘-able’ generally means ‘capable of being’ or ‘worthy of being’. It’s more commonly used than ‘-ible’.

Definition: capable of; worthy of; that can be.
Rule: Usually added to complete words, after removing a silent ‘e’ at the end.
Examples:

• Accept (verb) + -able → Acceptable (adjective): Capable of being accepted.
• Read (verb) + -able → Readable (adjective): Capable of being read.
• Wash (verb) + -able → Washable (adjective): Capable of being washed.
• Believe (verb) + -able → Believable (adjective): Capable of being believed (note the silent ‘e’ removal!).
• Enjoy (verb) + -able → Enjoyable (adjective): Capable of being enjoyed.

-ible: Meaning and Usage

The suffix ‘-ible’ also means ‘capable of being’ or ‘worthy of being’, but its usage is less predictable. It is often, but not exclusively, used when the root word ends in -ss or when the root word is derived from Latin.

Definition: capable of; worthy of; that can be.
Rule: Usually added to root words that are not complete words on their own.
Examples:

• Access (verb) + -ible → Accessible (adjective): Capable of being accessed.
• Sense (verb) + -ible → Sensible (adjective): Capable of being sensed; reasonable.
• Digest (verb) + -ible → Digestible (adjective): Capable of being digested.
• Visible (Latin root) (adjective): Capable of being seen.
• Audible (Latin root) (adjective): Capable of being heard.

Common Examples of -able and -ible Words

-able Words Adaptable Comfortable Dependable Fashionable Manageable Profitable Renewable Suitable Valuable

-ible Words Admissible Compatible Convertible Edible Incredible Invincible Permissible Possible Responsible

Tips and Tricks

• When in doubt, check a dictionary. English is full of exceptions! If you are unsure whether to use ‘-able’ or ‘-ible’, look up the word.
• Look for a base word. Many ‘-able’ words are created from words that already exist (e.g., read + -able = readable).
• Latin roots. Words with Latin roots (like visible from Latin videre – to see) often use ‘-ible’.

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the suffixes ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’, which transform verbs into adjectives with the meaning ‘capable of being’ or ‘worthy of being’. We learned that ‘-able’ is generally added to complete words (often after removing a silent ‘e’), while ‘-ible’ is frequently used with Latin-derived roots. Remember to consult a dictionary when unsure and practice identifying these suffixes to expand your vocabulary!

let’s practice!