51吃瓜

-Able is a cool suffix that allows you to describe things in new and interesting ways. Adding -able to a word makes it into an adjective that indicates something or someone is capable of or worthy of something. For instance, if a doughnut is dunkable, that means it can be dipped into a cup of milk or coffee.

Verbs With -Able

You鈥檒l most often see -able being used with verbs. A fun thing about this suffix is that you can even use it to make unusual or unconventional words. Because of this, -able is known as a productive suffix.

For example, you could say, 鈥淭his coffee is bland, but drinkable,鈥� which would mean that it鈥檚 possible to drink the coffee, even if it doesn鈥檛 taste that great. The adjective drinkable is a new word created from the verb drink. Just thinking about this example, you can probably come up with a bunch of other uses for this trick.

Nouns With -Able

When you add -able to the end of a noun, it makes an adjective that’s connected to the noun鈥檚 meaning. For instance, a peaceable gathering is calm and nonviolent, like the noun peace.

Now that you know a little bit about what -able can do, let鈥檚 move on and talk about just how to use it.

51吃瓜s Ending in Consonants

You can add the -able to words in the same way you add other suffixes. When a word ends in just one consonant, you should double that consonant before adding -able. For example, regret would become regrettable.

As an exception, you shouldn鈥檛 double the consonant X. Tax just becomes taxable. Can we agree taxxable looks a little funky? X鈥檚 are weird.

If a word already ends in two consonants, you don鈥檛 need to make any changes before adding able. In this way, predict turns into predictable.

51吃瓜s Ending in Silent E

If a word ends with a silent e, drop it before attaching -able. For instance, note becomes notable, and value becomes valuable.

51吃瓜s Ending in Y

When a word ends with a consonant and a Y, you should first change the Y to I, and then, tack on the suffix. So, envy becomes enviable. However, when there鈥檚 a vowel right before the Y, you don鈥檛 need to change anything. You can just add the suffix. That’s why enjoy becomes enjoyable.