What is suitable? Pronunciation and usage in English

suitable means . Learn how to pronounce and use suitable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of suitable

suitableadjective

/ˈsuːtəbl/
Definition & pronunciation of suitable

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "suitable." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsjuː.tə.bəl/ (Stress on the first syllable)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. ˈsjuː - This sounds like "soo." Think of the word "shoe." The "ue" makes a long "oo" sound as in "moon."

  2. tə - This is a schwa sound, which is a very short, unstressed vowel sound. It's like the "a" in "about." It often sounds almost like "uh."

  3. bəl - This sounds like "bell." It's a short, crisp "b" sound followed by a schwa (uh) sound.

Putting it together: Soo-tuh-bell

Tips and Considerations:

  • Stress: The stress is definitely on the first syllable ("soo"). This is key to getting the pronunciation right.
  • Schwa Sound: Don't try to overemphasize the second syllable ("tuh"). It's a very relaxed, quiet sound.
  • Don't say "sut-table": Many speakers incorrectly pronounce it as "sut-table." This is a very common mistake that you'll hear!

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more tailored instructions, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Your native language can sometimes influence pronunciation).

Usage and examples with the word suitable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "suitable" effectively in English. It's a versatile word that means "fitting" or "appropriate," but it's often used slightly differently than "good" or "right."

1. Basic Meaning: Fitting or Appropriate

At its core, "suitable" means that something is appropriate for a particular purpose, situation, or person.

  • Example: "This dress is suitable for a formal occasion." (It's the right style and appearance for a formal event.)
  • Example: "He's a suitable candidate for the job because he has the required skills." (He meets the criteria for the position.)

2. Key Uses and Nuances

Here's a more detailed look at how "suitable" is commonly used:

  • Describing Conditions and Environments:

    • "The weather is suitable for a picnic." (The weather is pleasant and appropriate for a picnic.)
    • "This room is suitable for a meeting." (It has the right size, lighting, and amenities.)

  • Describing People (Especially for Roles or Tasks):

    • "She's a suitable wife for him – kind, intelligent, and supportive." (She has the qualities appropriate for marriage.)
    • "He was suitable for the role of manager because he had experience in leadership." (He was qualified and appropriate for the job.)

  • Describing Objects (Especially for Use):

    • "This tool is suitable for hammering nails." (It’s designed and built for that purpose.)
    • "This software is suitable for beginners." (It’s easy enough for someone with little experience to use.)

  • Formal and Objective: "Suitable" often feels a bit more formal and objective than "good." It’s about fulfilling a requirement or meeting a standard, rather than just being pleasing.

  • Contrast with "Good": Don't use "suitable" when you simply mean "good."

    • Incorrect: "This is a suitable car." (Sounds strange – it likely just means "good".)
    • Correct: “This is a suitable car for my family because it’s reliable and spacious.” (It meets the needs of the family.)

3. Common Phrases Using "Suitable"

  • Suitable for: (Very common) – "This book is suitable for children aged 8-12."
  • Suitable candidate: – "He was a suitable candidate for the promotion."
  • Suitable conditions: – “The suitable conditions for growth were sunshine and moisture."
  • Suitable choice: – “This is a suitable choice for a first car.”

4. Synonyms

Here are some words you could use instead of "suitable," depending on the context:

  • Appropriate
  • Fitting
  • Proper
  • Suitable
  • Right
  • Appropriate
  • Qualified
  • Qualified

5. Example Sentences Combining Different Uses:

  • "The hospital room was suitable for her recovery, with comfortable beds and attentive nurses." (Environment)
  • "He’s a suitable candidate – he has the education and experience required for the position." (Person/Role)
  • “This wrench is suitable for loosening these bolts.” (Object/Use)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., academic essay, casual email, creative writing?)
  • Can you provide a specific sentence or situation where you're trying to use "suitable"?

Synonyms for the word suitable

Practice with vocabulary suitable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. Finding a professionally _________ attire for the formal business dinner was a priority for the new intern.
  2. The project manager ensured that the resources allocated were _________ to meet the demanding deadlines without compromising quality.
  3. The city council is currently searching for a _________ location to build the new community center, considering both accessibility and local zoning laws.
  4. After careful deliberation, the committee concluded that the proposed changes were _________ and would lead to a more streamlined process.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all the words that correctly complete each sentence. There may be more than one correct answer.

  1. To be truly _________ for a role in data analysis, a candidate typically needs strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in relevant software. A. proficient B. sufficient C. qualified D. suitable
  2. The new cloud-based platform proved _________ for our large-scale data migration, handling the volume and complexity effectively. A. inadequate B. robust C. versatile D. suitable
  3. Which qualities make a presentation _________ for both technical experts and general stakeholders? A. jargon-heavy language B. clear and concise visuals C. focus on actionable insights D. in-depth theoretical explanations
  4. An _________ strategy for customer engagement aims to build long-term relationships and increase brand loyalty. A. effective B. influential C. innovative D. erroneous
  5. When providing feedback, it's crucial to ensure your comments are _________ to the task or performance being reviewed. A. compelling B. pertinent C. objective D. irrelevant

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided, maintaining the original meaning.

  1. It is essential to select a methodology that fits the specific aims of our research. (Rewrite using "suitable")
  2. The existing security measures no longer met the current requirements for protecting sensitive information. (Rewrite using a form of "suitable")
  3. For such a high-stakes negotiation, we need the most experienced and skilled team members. (Rewrite without using "suitable" or any related forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Finding a professionally suitable attire for the formal business dinner was a priority for the new intern.
  2. The project manager ensured that the resources allocated were adequate to meet the demanding deadlines without compromising quality.
  3. The city council is currently searching for a suitable location to build the new community center, considering both accessibility and local zoning laws.
  4. After careful deliberation, the committee concluded that the proposed changes were reasonable and would lead to a more streamlined process.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. To be truly qualified, suitable for a role in data analysis, a candidate typically needs strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in relevant software. (C, D)
  2. The new cloud-based platform proved robust, versatile, suitable for our large-scale data migration, handling the volume and complexity effectively. (B, C, D)
  3. Which qualities make a presentation suitable for both technical experts and general stakeholders? (B, C) B. clear and concise visuals C. focus on actionable insights
  4. An effective strategy for customer engagement aims to build long-term relationships and increase brand loyalty. (A)
  5. When providing feedback, it's crucial to ensure your comments are pertinent to the task or performance being reviewed. (B)

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It is essential to select a suitable methodology for the specific aims of our research.
  2. The existing security measures were no longer suitable for protecting sensitive information.
  3. For such a high-stakes negotiation, we need the optimal team members.

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