In the word inevitable, what is the effect of the suffix "-ible"?

• A. It helps form an adjective meaning "able to be" or "capable of."
• B. It marks past tense.
• C. It forms a noun indicating a thing.
• D. It indicates a comparative degree.

Answer: (A)

The suffix -ible is an adjective-forming ending that means “able to be” or “capable of.” When it attaches to a root, it turns it into a word that describes capability or possibility. In inevitable, the base idea is evitable (able to be avoided). Adding the prefix in- changes the meaning to “not able to be avoided,” giving the sense of something that cannot be avoided. That’s why the best interpretation of the suffix here is forming an adjective that expresses a state of being able to be or not be in a certain way.

The other ideas don’t fit because past tense is shown by suffixes like -ed, noun forms use endings such as -tion or -ness, and comparative forms use -er or more.