ABLE (adjective suffix)

Most words that end in -able are adjectives. Here we list in order of most to least frequent those found in the top 100 on iWeb corpus.  These are not found much in the lower proficiency levels.  It would be wiser to teach vocabulary this way at upper-intermediate and above.

They are AVAILABLE, COMFORTABLE, VALUABLE, CAPABLE, REASONABLE, AFFORDABLE, SUITABLE, RELIABLE, APPLICABLE, SUSTAINABLE, STABLE, DURABLE, ACCEPTABLE, VULNERABLE, REMARKABLE, CONSIDERABLE, PORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE, ENJOYABLE, MEMORABLE, UNCOMFORTABLE, NOTABLE, COMPARABLE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, VIABLE, LIABLE, PROFITABLE, DESIRABLE, INEVITABLE, RENEWABLE, NOTICEABLE, PAYABLE, CHARITABLE, ADORABLE, ACCOUNTABLE, INVALUABLE, ABLE, REMOVABLE, FAVORABLE, PREDICTABLE, USABLE, UNBELIEVABLE, PRINTABLE, TAXABLE, MISERABLE, IDENTIFIABLE, UNDERSTANDABLE, QUESTIONABLE, UNAVAILABLE, PROBABLE, UNACCEPTABLE, UNPREDICTABLE, UNFORGETTABLE, REPUTABLE, UNSTABLE, CUSTOMIZABLE, DISPOSABLE, FASHIONABLE, MANAGEABLE, UNREASONABLE, ADVISABLE, RECOGNIZABLE, SCALABLE, WEARABLE, MEASURABLE, RESPECTABLE, PREFERABLE, BREATHABLE, FORMIDABLE, DOWNLOADABLE, INCAPABLE, READABLE, EQUITABLE, ACTIONABLE, INTERCHANGEABLE, DEPENDABLE, REUSABLE, HONORABLE, PLAYABLE, UNRELIABLE, ADAPTABLE, EXECUTABLE, INDISPENSABLE, NON-REFUNDABLE, RECHARGEABLE.


There are exceptions though:

able‘ can be an attributive adjective:

So, MacGregor, I knew your father, an able manif not a wise one.

listen

or (JK)

others exceptions:

UNABLE (JK) ENABLE (VVI)(VV0) TABLE (NN1) CABLE (NN1) VARIABLE (JJ_NN1) VEGETABLE (NN1) DISABLE (VVI) STABLE (JJ_NN1@)

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