Spelling Suffix Words
Ever noticed how we can change a boring old word into something more exciting by adding a little “tail” to it? That’s what suffixes are all about! Let’s look at four super useful suffixes: -able, -ible, -ably, and -ibly. They help turn simple root words into adjectives or adverbs, adding more detail and description to your writing.
First up, -able. This suffix is like saying, “It can be done.” If something is adorable, it can be adored. If it’s reliable, it can be relied on. The root word stays pretty much the same, so it’s easy to spot when -able fits.
Next, we have -ible, which works similarly to -able, but it’s a bit fussier about which words it attaches to. For example, visible means “able to be seen,” and edible means “able to be eaten.” You’ll mostly find -ible on words with Latin roots.
Now, let’s add some action with -ably and -ibly, which turn words into adverbs. They let you describe how something is done. For instance, you might say someone solved a puzzle reliably or finished their homework terribly. Notice how these suffixes often change the spelling of the root word? For example, adorable becomes adorably, and horrible turns into horribly.
The trickiest part? Knowing when to use -able or -ible, and -ably or -ibly. Here’s a tip: if the root word is a whole word by itself, like “rely” in reliable, it’s probably -able. If not, like “vis” in visible, it’s usually -ible.
Master these suffixes, and you’ll be unstoppable when describing anything imaginable—or edible!
Try to find as many of the above suffix words in the short story below!
Sophie’s Incredible Baking Adventure
Sophie was excited to bake a cake for her best friend’s birthday. She grabbed a breakable glass bowl to mix the batter, but as she reached for the flour, the bowl slipped and shattered on the floor. “I hope that’s forgivable,” she sighed, cleaning up the mess. She found a more manageable plastic bowl and started over, thinking it might be more reliable.
Determined to make the cake look adorable, Sophie added colorful sprinkles to the batter. She told herself it was possible to make this the best cake ever. Once it was poured into the pan, the batter looked perfectly visible, and she was thrilled to see it rising visibly in the oven.
While waiting for the cake to bake, Sophie brainstormed decorations. She imagined creating a reversible design, with one side showing a rainbow and the other side being plain, making it manageably customizable for any occasion. Her little brother walked in, looking at her work adorably, and asked for a taste. “Just a tiny bit,” Sophie said, reminding him that raw batter isn’t edible. He nodded believably and took a small lick from the spoon.
At the party, Sophie’s cake was a hit. “This is incredible!” her friend exclaimed. “You’ve done such an incredibly amazing job!” Everyone admired her efforts, saying she had baked the cake so reliably and decorated it understandably well. Sophie felt proud as her friends devoured the cake, eating edibly and happily.
Even the cleanup went smoothly. Sophie noticed that some decorations could come off reversibly, making it easy to tidy up. “This was my best cake yet!” she declared. “And next time, I’ll bake something just as amazing—possibly even better!”
How many of the suffix words did you find in the story about Sophie’s baking antics? Now that you are more familiar with words that have the suffixes -able, -ible, -ably, and -ibly, it’s time to have a go at spelling them from memory.
