how to spell: -ible & -able words

Another spelling video from howtospell.co.uk -ible & -able endings are both common spelling patterns for adjectives & usually sound the same.
They mean 'able to' or 'fit for' acceptable, understandable, responsible
the following words mean 'able to be' -
available: able to be used or obtained
audible: able to be heard
breakable: able to be broken
visible: able to be seen

But when do we use -ible and when do we use -able endings?
So is it understandible or understandable, terrable or terrible, dependible or dependable?

Knowing which of these suffix endings to use can be tricky. Most good spellers can see if it's the right spelling. So it's a matter of practising the words and using them.

Let's go deeper into these suffix endings.

There are more words ending in -able (about 900) than -ible (less than 200).

-able words usually come from French. We can make new adjectives -- networkable, childproofable.

A general rule is if we take away the -able ending (-able) we're usually left with a root word.
understandable = understand + able, enjoyable = enjoy + able, comfortable = comfort + able, dependable = depend + able.
But like all rules there are always always exceptions.


If the root word ends in 'e' then we usually drop the 'e': value + able = valuable, desire + able = desirable, move + able = movable, believable, excitable. BUT words that keep the 'e' are: saleable, hireable, sizeable, nameable. The best way to remember these is to memorise them.

But drop the 'e' or keep the 'e; both are correct in these words - likeable/ likable, lovable /loveable, useable/usable.


The y becomes i when adding -able: justify - justifiable, rely - reliable.

We can also apply the 1:1:1: doubling up rule when adding -able so forget the second syllable is stressed and it has 1 vowel and 1 consonant so double up the 't' forgettable (e.g. forget; forgettable or regret; regrettable). Check out my other video on the doubling up 1:1:1 rule.


Also, we usually keep the 'e' with words ending in -ce and -ge so that the words retain the soft c and g sound: changeable, manageable, noticeable, pronounceable, serviceable, traceable, knowledgeable.



If the main part of the word ends with a 'hard' c (pronounced like the c in cab) or a 'hard' g (pronounced like the g in game) then the ending is always -able. For example, despicable, applicable, impeccable, amicable. navigable


Let's look at the -ible words.
-ible words come from Latin. There are no new Latin words!

As a general rule we aren't left with a root word when we take away the ible ending like in the -able endings but as I said there are always exceptions look at these: corrupt /ible, destruct/ible, contempt/ible, perfect/ible
notice the -tible pattern it's always great to see patterns and also to know and understand exceptions to rules.


Look at these accessible flexible -tible ending again in: convertible digestible


we also drop the 'e' with -ible - collapse+ible = collapsible, response + ible = responsible sense +ible = sensible, reduce ible = reducible


Words ending in c have a softer sound with -ible: forcible, invincible, reducible
Notice we drop the 'e' in force -ible reduce-ible



Learn the common ones -- terrible, horrible, incredible, sensible, possible, impossible, edible, accessible, flexible, legible, collapsible, visible, responsible, reversible...


So let's recap - able is the most common ending and we can make new words with this ending. We can see the root word in these words if we knock off the -able.


able: available, adorable, comfortable, vegetable, understandable, acceptable, reasonable, bearable, believable, capable, flammable, changeable, inflatable, inflammable, considerable,desirable, despicable, durable, forgettable, forgivable, inescapable, inevitable, pleasurable, preferable, predictable, sizeable, suitable, unmistakeable, unshakeable, usable, variable, laughable...

drop the 'e' or keep the 'e; both are correct in theses words - likeable/ likable, lovable / loveable, useable/usable...


-ible: sensible, possible, impossible, horrible, terrible, legible, illegible, flexible, accessible, compatible, comprehensible, convertible, credible, digestible, feasible, plausible, incredible, irresistible, gullible, edible,visible, responsible, flexible...



I have some ible/able exercises & games on my website howtospell.co.uk


Also while you're there check out my Spelling Patterns and Pronunciation Masterclass howtospell-letterpatterns.co.uk/


Thank you for watching