Ending Experts

Level 2: The Suffix Showdown

-able / -ible -ant / -ent -ary / -ory

Mastering the Schwa

Why are these so hard? Because they all sound like /ə/!

Able or Ible?

Is the part before the ending a full English word?

Ant or Ent?

Which Latin word family does this word belong to?

Ary or Ory?

Is it a place, a collection, or an action?

Rule 1: The Full Word Test

-able

Usually added to full English words.

Predict + able = Predictable

-ible

Usually added to Latin roots that aren't words alone.

Vis + ible = Visible

Can "Vis" stand alone? No! So we use -ible.

Rule 2: The Latin Legacy

Assistant (not assistent)

Root: sist (to stand). These root families love the -ant ending.

Dependent (not dependant)

Root: pend (to hang). These root families almost always take -ent.

Recall: Place & Action

Library

Root: libr (book)

Suffix: -ary
Meaning: A place where specific items (books) are kept.

Factory

Root: fact (to make)

Suffix: -ory
Meaning: A place where an action (making things) happens.

The Morphology Blueprint

Word	Parts	The Secret Meaning
predictable	pre + dict + able	Able to be said before it happens.
visible	vis + ible	Able to be seen.
dependent	de + pend + ent	Hanging down from something.
assistant	as + sist + ant	One who stands near to help.

Apply the Logic

destruct___

(able / ible)

Think:

"Destruct" comes from Latin destructus. It isn't a full English word on its own.

Result: Destructible

cred___

(ible / able)

Think:

"Cred" comes from Latin credere (believe). It is a root, not a word.

Result: Credible

Apply the Logic

resid___

(ent / ant)

Think:

Latin root sidere (to sit). Those who "sit" in a place.

Result: Resident

observ___

(ant / ent)

Think:

Full base word "observe." Usually takes the -ant ending.

Result: Observant

The Root Master

Connect the meanings to the definitions

DICT

To Say

VIS

To See

PEND

To Hang

SIST

To Stand

"

"Morphology is the DNA of English. When you know the roots, you own the words."

The Morphology Experts

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