Suffix · forms adjectives
Turns a verb into an adjective meaning "can be done": wash becomes washable.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
The suffix -able (or -ible) takes a verb and creates an adjective meaning "that can be done" or "worth doing". From "wash" you get "washable"; from "read" you get "readable"; from "believe" you get "believable". The mental formula: washable = can be washed. comfortable = allows you to be comfortable. When you see -able/-ible, ask yourself "what verb is in there?" and you have the meaning.
This is the easiest suffix for Spanish speakers because Spanish uses the exact same endings: -able and -ible. washable = lavable comfortable = confortable possible = posible visible = visible responsible = responsable In many cases the word is nearly identical in both languages. If you know the Spanish word, the English one is almost the same.
Practical rule: if you can identify a clear English verb (wash, read, drink), use -able: washable, readable, drinkable. If the word comes from Latin and there is no obvious English verb, it is likely -ible: possible, visible, responsible, horrible. No rule is 100% reliable, but most new words formed today use -able. When in doubt, -able is the safer bet.
Main rule: verb + able. -ible is used mostly with Latin roots.
If the verb ends in silent -e (love, move, use), drop the -e before adding -able: love → lovable. Exception: if the -e keeps a c or g soft, keep it: notice → noticeable, change → changeable.
-able / -ible/əbəl/ · soft 'uh-bul'
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Drop the silent -e before -able: love → lovable, use → usable. Exceptions: noticeable, changeable.
Latin-origin words use -ible, not -able: possible, visible, responsible, horrible.
-able has a single b. Just one -able at the end of the word.
A trick to remember it
If it is "-able" or "-ible" in Spanish, it is the same in English: lavable = washable, posible = possible. For new words with clear English verbs, always -able. For Latin-sounding words, try -ible.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the correct form of "love" + able?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"possible" ends in -ible because...
The suffix -able / -ible turns a verb into an adjective meaning "can be done": wash becomes washable. In Spanish it usually maps to -able / -ible.
The ending -able / -ible is pronounced /əbəl/ · soft 'uh-bul'. For example, "washable".
"wash" becomes "washable". It is a typical example of the -able / -ible suffix.
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