Comprendre les adjectifs en -able et -ible
1 · Look for a possible action
Accepter → acceptable links an action to something that can be accepted. The adjective often describes the thing receiving the action.
Cette solution est acceptable pour toute l’équipe.This solution is acceptable to the whole team.
2 · Suitability can matter more than physical possibility
Faisable means feasible or practicable. A proposal can be theoretically possible yet too expensive to be feasible in the stated circumstances.
Avec ce budget, le projet est faisable.With this budget, the project is feasible.
3 · Recognise -ible families as whole words
Learn lire → lisible, comprendre → compréhensible and voir → visible. The verb stem can change; simply attaching an ending to the infinitive will not give the right spelling.
Son explication est claire et compréhensible.Her explanation is clear and understandable.
4 · The ending does not choose the spelling for you
Accessible, disponible and prévisible are useful complete forms. A meaning like ‘can be…’ helps recognition, but cannot tell you whether a new word uses -able or -ible.
Le résultat était prévisible.The result was predictable.
5 · One form for masculine and feminine
These adjectives already end in -e. Keep the same singular form for either gender; add -s in the plural.
Un texte lisible, une note lisible, des notes lisibles.A legible text, a legible note, legible notes.
6 · Notice a negative prefix
Compare possible / impossible, visible / invisible and lisible / illisible. Learn the spelling of each pair along with the meaning.
Cette signature est illisible.This signature is illegible.
7 · Check established meanings and English lookalikes
Agréable means pleasant; sensible means sensitive. The shared ending gives no reliable English translation for either one. Read the context before choosing a meaning.
Elle est sensible aux critiques.She is sensitive to criticism.