Words with -able and -ible

Key Notes:-

What do ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’ mean?

The suffixes ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’ both mean capable of or worthy of.
They are added to the end of a verb to form an adjective. This adjective describes something that can be acted upon or is suitable for a particular action.

Words Ending in ‘-able’

Generally, if you can take the root word and add ‘-able’ to it and it sounds correct, it is likely to be correct. A good rule is that if the root word is a complete word, you can often add ‘-able’ without changing it.

Word	Meaning and Sentence
Understandable	Capable of being understood.
Acceptable	Your offer is acceptable to me.
Lovable	That puppy is so lovable!
Comfortable	This chair is very comfortable.
Washable	This shirt is washable.

Words Ending in ‘-ible’

There isn’t a hard and fast rule for ‘-ible’. Often, if the root word isn’t a complete word, or ends in ‘-ns’ or ‘-miss’, it might take ‘-ible’.

Word Possible Visible Audible Responsible Incredible

Meaning and Sentence Capable of happening or being done. It is possible to finish the project on time. Capable of being seen. The moon was visible through the clouds. Capable of being heard. Her voice was barely audible. Having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one’s job or role. You are responsible for your actions. Difficult or impossible to believe. His story was incredible.

Tips for Remembering

When in doubt, check a dictionary. It’s the most reliable resource.
Practice using these words in your writing and speaking.
Pay attention to how these words are used in the texts you read.

Summary

This lesson covered the suffixes ‘-able’ and ‘-ible’, explaining that they both mean ‘capable of’ or ‘worthy of’. We explored common examples of words using each suffix, provided their definitions, and illustrated their usage with sample sentences. Remember to use these suffixes correctly to enhance your writing and vocabulary!

Let’s practice!