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Is "pronunciable" or "pronounceable" more correct, considering etymology?

English Language & Usage Asked on June 17, 2021

The former seems more natural to me, and is personally what I’ve used, but the latter is easier to pronounce.

One Answer

Pronunciable is incorrect. The correct adjective for ‘something that can be pronounced’ is pronounceable. Adjectives that end with the suffix -able are mostly formed from (transitive) verbs. In this case, the verb is ‘pronounce’:

  • pronounce (verb) + able → pronounceable
  • manage + able → manageable
  • update + able → updateable (updatable)
  • enjoy + able → enjoyable

Also note that you cannot remove the e from ‘pronounceable’ because if you do, it will turn the /s/ of ‘pronounce’ to a /k/ (*pronouncable).

Answered by Decapitated Soul on June 17, 2021

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