Hello there! Today, we’re going to address a common spelling confusion that English learners often encounter: accessible or accessable – which is correct? It’s completely understandable how this can be puzzling, but fear not! By the end of this explanation, you’ll have a clear understanding of the correct spelling and how to use it in your written and spoken English.
The correct spelling is “accessible.” Let me explain why. In English, when adding a suffix to a word that ends in a stressed syllable, we often double the final consonant. This is done to preserve the pronunciation of the word.
Now, let’s break it down with some examples to make it easier to understand. Think about the word “access.” If we want to form the adjective “accessible” from this word, we need to add the suffix “-ible.” Since the final syllable of “access” is stressed, we double the final consonant “s,” resulting in “accessible.”
Here are a few more examples to reinforce this concept:
1. “Red” + “-ness” = “redness”
2. “Control” + “-able” = “controllable”
3. “Permit” + “-ing” = “permitting”
4. “Admit” + “-ance” = “admittance”
5. “Forget” + “-able” = “forgettable”
In each of these examples, we can see that the final consonant of the base word is doubled before adding the suffix to maintain the pronunciation and ensure clarity.
Now, let’s move on to why “accessable” is incorrect. When we spell it with just one “s” – “accessable” – we’re deviating from the established rule of adding a double consonant after a stressed syllable before attaching a suffix. If we were to pronounce it as “ak-ses-uh-buhl,” it would sound different from the correct pronunciation of “ak-ses-uh-buhl.” This spelling error could lead to confusion and make it harder for others to understand what you’re trying to convey.
To illustrate this point further, think of it like building a stable house. If you try to construct a house without a strong foundation, it will be more likely to collapse. In the same way, proper spelling serves as the foundation for effective communication. By using the correct spelling of “accessible,” you’re ensuring that your words are clear and easily understood.
In conclusion, the correct spelling is “accessible” when it comes to describing something that is easy to approach, enter, or use. Remember to double the final consonant after a stressed syllable before adding a suffix to preserve the pronunciation and maintain clarity in your communication. So, let’s keep spelling correctly and continue building our linguistic skills.
Keep up the excellent work, and if you have any other language questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Happy learning!