English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Words with -able and -ible
Words with -able and -ible
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the meaning and function of the suffixes -able and -ible.
Differentiate between words that correctly use -able and those that use -ible.
Apply common rules and patterns to correctly spell words ending in -able or -ible.
Recognize how root words influence the choice between -able and -ible.
Expand their vocabulary by understanding the meaning of new words formed with -able and -ible.
Use words ending in -able and -ible accurately in their own writing.
Ever wonder why some words end in -able, like 'readable,' while others end in -ible, like 'flexible'? 🤔 It's not just random!
In this lesson, you'll uncover the secrets behind these two common suffixes. Understanding when to use -able versus -ible will not only improve...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SuffixA letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to form a new word or to change the word's grammatical function.In 'readable,' '-able' is the suffix.
Root WordThe basic part of a word that carries the primary meaning and cannot be broken down further without losing its meaning.In 'visible,' 'vis' (from Latin 'videre' meaning 'to see') is the root word.
-ableA suffix meaning 'capable of,' 'worthy of,' or 'tending to.' It often attaches to complete English words.Enjoy + -able = enjoyable (capable of being enjoyed).
-ibleA suffix meaning 'capable of,' 'worthy of,' or 'tending to.' It often attaches to Latin roots or words that are no...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Complete Word' Rule for -able
If the root word is a complete English word that can stand alone, you usually add -able.
This rule applies when the base word is a recognizable verb or noun. For example, 'wash' is a complete word, so we add -able to make 'washable'.
The 'Incomplete Word/Latin Root' Rule for -ible
If the root word is not a complete English word on its own, or if it's a Latin root, you usually add -ible.
Many words with -ible come from Latin. If the base word doesn't make sense by itself (e.g., 'vis' or 'sens'), or if it ends in a soft 'c' or 'g' (e.g., 'force' -> 'forcible'), -ible is often the correct choice.
The 'Drop the Silent E'...
5 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
The Latin root 'cred-' means 'to believe'. Based on the rules for suffixes, which word means 'capable of being believed' and is spelled correctly?
A.Credable
B.Credible
C.Credeable
D.Credibile
Challenging
Read the passage: 'The new policy was, by all accounts, indefensable. The committee's reasoning was incomprehensible, and the public outcry was predictable.' Which word is misspelled?
A.indefensable
B.incomprehensible
C.predictable
D.All words are spelled correctly.
Challenging
Four students explain why 'manageable' is spelled with an 'e' before -able. Which student provides the most accurate explanation based on the tutorial's concepts?
A.Sam: You always keep the 'e' when the root word has two syllables.
B.Maria: The 'e' is kept because 'manage' is a verb, not a noun.
C.David: It's an exception to the rules that just has to be memorized.
D.Leila: The 'e' is kept to maintain the soft 'g' sound; otherwise, it might be pronounced with a hard 'g'.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free