Question

The combining vowel is usually dropped when the suffix begins with ________.

a. A vowel
b. A consonant
c. The letter i.
d. The letter o.

Answer 1

The combining vowel is usually dropped when the suffix begins with a consonant, but retained when the suffix starts with a vowel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The combining vowel is usually dropped when the suffix begins with a consonant. For example, in the word 'teach', when the suffix '-ing' is added, the combining vowel 'o' is dropped to form 'teaching'. However, when the suffix begins with a vowel, the combining vowel is retained. For instance, in the word 'create', when the suffix '-able' is added, the combining vowel 'e' is not dropped and we get 'creatable'.