Word-formation processes:Some basic concepts Word-formation rules --to define the scope and methods whereby speakers of a language may create new words. e.g.the-able word-formation rule says: "-able is to be added to verbs to form an adjective meaning 'fit top be',or to nouns to form an adjective with the sense showing the quality of." But it must be pointed out that any word-formation rule is of limited productivity,the formed words are acceptable only when they have gained an institutional currency in the language. E.g.readable,fashionable,*writable,*deskable.• Word-formation rules --to define the scope and methods whereby speakers of a language may create new words. e.g. the –able word-formation rule says: “-able is to be added to verbs to form an adjective meaning ‘fit top be’ , or to nouns to form an adjective with the sense showing the quality of.” But it must be pointed out that any word-formation rule is of limited productivity, the formed words are acceptable only when they have gained an institutional currency in the language. E.g. readable, fashionable, *writable, *deskable. Word-formation processes: Some basic concepts