The sounds /eɪbl/ or /əbl/

Section One: Spotting the problem

Our next pronunciation lesson has to do with the pronunciation of words like table and comfortable. The confusion comes from reading the -able part in both words, and not knowing when and why the word is pronounced with /eɪbl/ or with /əbl/. 

Now listen. Only one of the following four words is pronounced correctly here. Which one?

The answer is changeable.

Section Two: Correcting the problem

Let's take two words: disable and fashionable. The -able we see in each are not the same, although as far as spelling is concerned, they look identical. However, in disable, -able is related to ability, while in fashionable it is a suffix, meaning “having elements or qualities of fashion”. Other words of this kind are suitable, comfortable and changeable.

Another difference is that in disable the word stress falls on the syllable with the -able in it. In fashionable, however, the stress falls on a different syllable. So, the /eɪ/ in -able gets reduced to a neutral schwa /ə/ sound, as it often happens in English when a syllable is unstressed. Listen.

suitable and not suitable, comfortable and not comfortable, eatable and not eatable.

Note: Of course, the -able can't be treated as a separate part in words like table or cable, which are complete words on their own.

Section Three: Practice

Listen and repeat these words a few times with the recording. In column a) the words should be pronounced as /eɪbl/ while those in column b) should be pronounced as /əbl/.

Section Four: Memorise

You may want to learn some of the following examples by heart for additional practice.

• A stable relationship
• Changeable weather
• A disabled person
• A comfortable chair
• Adjustable cable length
• A busy timetable
• An unstressed syllable

Try to use authentic texts and a monolingual English dictionary to find more real-life word combinations to practise with. 

Keep practicing!