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3.08 Able/ible and ative/itive endings

There is no basic rule for these endings. However, if there is a corresponding word ending in ation, the ending is usually able or ative; if the corresponding word ends in sion or tion not preceded by a, the ending is usually ible or itive:

  • affirmation
    • affirmative
  • duration
    • durable
  • information
    • informative
  • competition
    • competitive
  • division
    • divisible
  • reproduction
    • reproducible