Re: -able after 'e'

[Michael Cooperman <michael_cooperman -at- MATHWORKS -dot- COM>]

 Subject:                      Reply Form                     Time:1:51 PM
 RE> -able after 'e'                                          Date:7/19/94
Regarding the discussion of the proper spelling of 'scal(e)able':

In the very distant past I remember learning a rule that dictated what to do
about that 'e' when adding the 'able' suffix.  I didn't remember the rule but
looked it up in my dusty Fowler's Modern English Usage.

"...If the verb ends in mute -e, this is retained after soft c or g
(pronounceable, manageable) and generally dropped after other consonants
(usable, forgivable), but on this see MUTE E."

About MUTE E, I found almost 2 pages.  Here's an excerpt:

"Needless uncertainty prevails about the spelling of inflexions and
derivatives formed from words ending in mute e.  Is this -e to be retained ,
or omitted? [rambling omitted] The need is ... for a rule of the simplest
kind and with the fewest exceptions, to deliver us from the present chaos:
the dictionary-makers are not agreed about the spelling even of such common
words as blam(e)able, lik(e)able, sal(e)able, siz(e)able, and tem(e)able, and
in the rulings even of a single authority may be found such seemingly
arbitrary distinctions as lateish but whitish, ageing but icing." [more
rambling leading up to the suspenseful and climactic...]

RULE

When a suffix is added to a word ending in mute e, the mute e should be
dropped before a vowel, but not before a consonant.

EXCEPTION

The e should be kept even before a vowel if it is needed to indicate the soft
sound of a preceding g or c or to distinguish a word from another with the
same spelling.

I can quote examples if anyone needs but these seem pretty clear.

And, of course, I don't pretend that this will resolve the issue for
everyone.

michael cooperman