spelling: “able”/“ible” and “ative”/“itive” endings

There is no basic rule for these endings.

However, if there is a corresponding noun ending in ation, the adjective ending is usually able or ative:

  • affirmation/affirmative
  • duration/durable
  • information/informative

If the corresponding noun ends in sion or tion not preceded by a, the adjective ending is usually ible or itive:

  • competition/competitive
  • division/divisible
  • reproduction/reproducible

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