English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Determine the meaning of a word with -able or -ment
Determine the meaning of a word with -able or -ment
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 3 words with the suffixes '-able' or '-ment' from a given text.
- Explain how the suffixes '-able' or '-ment' change the meaning of a base word in at least 2 sentences.
- Determine the meaning of 3 unfamiliar words containing '-able' or '-ment' using context clues and knowledge of the suffixes.
- Create a new sentence using a word with either -able or -ment demonstrating the correct meaning of the word in context.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the suffixes -able and -ment and their etymological origins.
Analyze how the suffix -able transforms a verb or noun into an adjective indicating capability or worthiness.
Analyze how the suffix -ment transforms a verb into a noun indicating an action, process, or result.
Deconstruct unfamiliar words ending in -able or -ment by isolating the root word and applying the suffix's meaning.
Apply knowledge of these suffixes to interpret complex vocabulary in American literature texts.
Synthesize understanding of -able and -ment to enhance precision and sophistication in analytical and synthesis essays.
Differentiate between literal and nuanced meanings of words with these suffixes in various contexts.
Ever wonder how a single ending can completely...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SuffixA morpheme (a meaningful unit) added at the end of a word to form a derivative, often changing its grammatical function.The suffix '-able' in 'readable' changes the verb 'read' into an adjective.
Root WordThe primary lexical unit of a word which carries the most significant aspect of semantic content and cannot be reduced into smaller constituents.In the word 'unbelievable', the root word is 'believe'.
EtymologyThe study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.The etymology of 'government' traces back through French to the Latin verb 'gubernare', meaning 'to steer, to rule'.
Adjectival SuffixA suffix that, when added to a root word,...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The -able Suffix Rule
Root Word (Verb/Noun) + -able → Adjective
The suffix -able, from Latin '-abilis' (able to be), attaches to a verb or noun to create an adjective. The resulting adjective means 'capable of being,' 'worthy of,' or 'liable to' the action or quality of the root word.
The -ment Suffix Rule
Root Word (Verb) + -ment → Noun
The suffix -ment, from Latin '-mentum', attaches to a verb to create a noun. The resulting noun typically signifies the action or process of the verb, the result of that action, or the state of being acted upon.
Spelling Convention for -able
Drop the silent 'e' unless it follows 'c' or 'g'.
When adding -able to a root word ending in a silent 'e'...
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Challenging
In an analytical essay about Arthur Miller's *The Crucible*, a student argues that John Proctor's final act is 'the embodiment of principled resistance.' How could the student use the etymology of 'embodiment' to enhance this claim with greater sophistication?
A.By arguing that -ment signifies a final, unchangeable result, proving Proctor's decision was permanent.
B.By focusing on the root 'body', arguing that Proctor makes an abstract principle (resistance) physically real and tangible through his own death, giving it a literal body.
C.By explaining that the prefix 'em-' means 'against', showing that Proctor's body was against the court.
D.By comparing 'embodiment' to 'enjoyment', suggesting that Proctor found a strange pleasure in his final act.
Challenging
A prompt for a synthesis essay asks you to analyze the 'disenfranchisement of various groups in American history.' Which of the following thesis statements best utilizes a precise understanding of the word 'disenfranchisement'?
A.Disenfranchisement was a regrettable period in American history that affected many people's ability to participate in society.
B.The disenfranchisement of various groups, a process of actively stripping away the rights and privileges of citizenship, reveals a fundamental contradiction in America's professed ideals of liberty.
C.Throughout history, the disenfranchisement of people, meaning they felt left out, has been a common theme in American literature and politics.
D.Disenfranchisement, or the act of leaving a franchise, shows how economic factors were the primary cause of inequality in America.
Challenging
In a passage from a philosophical text, the author discusses the 'attainment of wisdom.' A student misinterprets 'attainment' as simply 'the goal of wisdom.' Why is this interpretation incomplete, based on the function of the -ment suffix?
A.The suffix -ment implies that wisdom is a physical object that can be held.
B.The suffix -ment can refer to the *process* of achieving something, not just the final result, suggesting wisdom is gained through a continuous journey.
C.The suffix -ment is always negative, so the 'attainment of wisdom' is actually a critique of those who claim to be wise.
D.The root 'attain' is an adjective, so 'attainment' is not a valid word.
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Determine the meaning of a word with -able or -ment is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Determine the meaning of a word with -able or -ment?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 3 words with the suffixes '-able' or '-ment' from a given text; Explain how the suffixes '-able' or '-ment' change the meaning of a base word in at least 2 sentences; Determine the meaning of 3 unfamiliar words….
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This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.