Lecture Notes: Words Ending in -IBLE and -ABLE

Overview

• Many English words ending in -IBLE and -ABLE have Latin origins.
• Exceptions exist when new words are formed, such as "Huggable."

English vs. Italian Pronunciation

• In English, words like "possible" and "probable" include a vowel sound between the B and L that is not written.
  • Example: Poss-i-ble
• In Italian, these words include the vowel in writing:
  • -ABLE becomes -ABILE
  • -IBLE becomes -IBILE

Examples

• Possible
  • English: Possible
  • Italian: Possibile
• Probable
  • English: Probable
  • Italian: Probabile

Pronunciation Tips

• Pronounce each syllable slowly and distinctly.
• Example: "Probabile" is pronounced with emphasis on the vowels.

Transforming to Adverbs

• Adding -mente (meaning 'ly' in English) to adjectives can transform them into adverbs:
  • Example: "probably" becomes "probabilmente."
  • The final E of the adjective is often dropped if the suffix -mente is used.

Practical Examples

• "Probably it's real": Probabilmente è reale
• "Probably it's original": Probabilmente è originale

Additional Examples

• Naturally (Naturale)

  • Italian: Naturalmente
  • Can mean "obviously"
  • Example: "Naturally, it's original": Naturalmente è originale

• Normally (Normale)

  • Italian: Normalmente
  • Example: "Normally it's digital": Normalmente è digitale

Translation of Other Words

• Impossible
  • Italian: Impossibile
• Incredible
  • Italian: Incredibile
  • Derived from the Latin meaning of "unbelievable."
• Believable
  • Italian: Credibile
  • Example: "It's believable": È credibile