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-ible, -eable, -able

-ible, -eable, -able

-ible, -eable, -able

(OP)

My recurring question with thanks in anticipation for your input, is there a rule for these endings?

Examples:

 -able              -eable              -ible
debatable       manageable      convertible
disputable       traceable          digestible
livable             sizeable            indestructible    

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

Rules, in English?  Surely you jest.  No rules, you just have to learn all the specific words you use.  Plus have a good spell checker. winky smile

Sure, there are rules, but most of the rules are full of exceptions or the rule requires you to know which language donated the word to English.

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

The first rule of English is; All rules are changeable.

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

Dubious etymology has dissolved into rule of thumb and common usage here I think.

- Steve

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

That's another one.  Is it usage or useage?  Usable or useable?

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

hokie66, drop the "e"

-ible or -able originally depended on the origins of the word being modified (a greek or latin root, i forget which applies to which).  i suspect that modern usage has lost this nuance (or nuisance)

RE: -ible, -eable, -able

I thought it was just English but learning Irish, French and Spanish are full of these damned exceptions as well.  Why can't words be metric?

drawn to design, designed to draw

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