Simple, But Useful Grammar - 'able'

Edible?

There are a few ways in English to describe what something or someone is capable of, or what can be done to it or to them. Using the the modal verb 'can' is the most common way, for example:


The pie can be eaten


This sentence structure is quite simple, but many English learners may have difficulties with it because it's in the passive voice. To simplify it further, we can add the suffix 'able' to a verb. 'Able' itself means 'can':


I am able to do it = I can do it


So, if we add 'able' to a verb as a suffix, we essentially get verb+can:


read + able = readable


If something is readable, then it can be read (passive sentence). 


"This book is readable because it uses simple vocabulary."


climb + able = climbable


"Are you sure that ladder is climbable? It looks very old!"


What about the word 'eatable'? Well, yes, you can use it, but it sounds a little silly. It's more common to use 'edible'.


"I don't think that bread is edible, it has mold on it".


This kind of 'able' word is an adjective, because it describes an object.
Note: 'able' as a suffix is pronounced 'ə.bl' (IPA chart here).




Simple! So, do you think it's learnable?


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