English is a mess. We all know it, yet we still get anxiety when that little red squiggly line appears under a word we were certain we knew how to spell. You're trying to write a LinkedIn post or a marketing email and you hit a wall: is it shareable or sharable?
It's one of those words.
Honestly, it feels like the "e" is just there to mock us. You take the verb "share," you drop the "e" to add "ing" (sharing), so why wouldn't you drop the "e" to add "able"? It makes logical sense. But English isn't always about logic; it's about history, usage, and sometimes just what looks "right" to the people who write the dictionaries. If you’ve been second-guessing yourself, you aren't alone. Even major publications flip-flop on this one.
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How to Spell Shareable: The Short Answer
The short version? Both are technically acceptable, but shareable is the dominant, preferred spelling in modern English.
If you're in a rush, just keep the "e." It’s the safer bet for nearly every context, from casual social media captions to formal business reports. According to data from Google Ngram Viewer, which tracks the usage of words in printed books over centuries, "shareable" has consistently outpaced "sharable" for decades. In fact, the gap is widening. People just like that "e" in there. It preserves the look of the root word, making it easier for the brain to process at a glance.
But why does the other version even exist?
It comes down to a suffix rule most of us forgot after third grade. Usually, when you add a suffix starting with a vowel (like -able) to a word ending in a silent "e," you drop that "e." That’s why we have "usable" instead of "useable" (though "useable" is also a variant, it's much less common). However, "shareable" is an exception that has become the rule. It belongs to a group of words like "nameable" or "sizeable" where keeping the "e" just feels more natural to the eye.
Why We Fight Over the "E"
Look at the word "sharable" for a second. Without the "e," the first syllable looks like "shar," which rhymes with "car" or "bar." In phonetics, that "e" at the end of "share" is a marker; it tells the reader that the "a" is a long vowel. When you remove it, the pronunciation technically shifts, even if we intuitively know what the writer means.
This is likely why "shareable" won the popularity contest.
Dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionary list both, but they often prioritize shareable. Merriam-Webster specifically notes "sharable" as a variant. In the world of lexicography, being called a "variant" is basically the dictionary's way of saying, "People use this, and it's not 'wrong,' but it's not the primary way we do things here."
Regional Differences (Or Lack Thereof)
Usually, when there are two ways to spell a word, we blame the Americans or the British. Think "color" versus "colour" or "realize" versus "realise." But with how to spell shareable, the Atlantic Ocean doesn't really provide a divide.
Both American English and British English prefer shareable.
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It’s rare to find a linguistic hill that both sides are willing to die on together, but this is one of them. Whether you are writing for a tech startup in San Francisco or a lifestyle brand in London, keeping that "e" is the standard. If you're working under a specific style guide, like The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style, they generally lean toward the most common dictionary spelling. Since "shareable" is the primary entry in most dictionaries, that's your winner.
The Psychology of Social Sharing
Why does this even matter? Because we live in an economy of "shareability."
We don't just create content; we create shareable content. The word has moved from a simple adjective to a high-stakes metric for success. When a brand talks about their "shareable assets," they are talking about survival in a crowded digital landscape. Using a "non-standard" spelling like "sharable" can subtly undermine your authority. It’s a tiny thing. A micro-interaction. But in a world of split-second impressions, you don't want your audience wondering if you know how to spell while they should be focusing on your message.
Bryan Garner, the author of Garner's Modern English Usage, is a bit of a legend in the world of grammar. He uses a "Language-Change Index" to track how words evolve. He notes that while "sharable" is common, "shareable" is the overwhelming favorite. He basically suggests that if you want to be safe, stick with the "e."
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
You’ve probably seen "shairable." Please don't do that. That’s just wrong.
Another weird one is "share-able" with a hyphen. While hyphens are great for joining words to create new adjectives (like "a well-known author"), they aren't necessary for standard suffixes. Adding a hyphen here just makes the word look clunky and outdated, like something from an 1990s internet forum.
Here is a quick trick to remember the "e":
Think of the word share. It’s a complete thought. It’s a complete action. When you make it shareable, you are simply adding the ability to do that action. You aren't changing the action itself. You are "able" to "share." Keep the whole word "share" intact and just tack on the "able."
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Context Matters: When to Use Which?
Is there ever a time to use "sharable"?
Maybe if you are a rebel. Or if you are trying to save exactly one character space in a very tight print ad or a character-limited bio. Some people argue that "sharable" looks "cleaner" or more "modern" because it follows the standard rule of dropping the silent "e." If you’re a developer or someone who values efficiency over tradition, you might lean toward the shorter version.
But honestly, most people will just think you made a typo.
In the tech world, specifically regarding "shareable links" or "shareable content," the spelling with the "e" is almost universal. Search engine optimization (SEO) also plays a role here. Since more people type shareable into search bars, websites that use that spelling are technically aligning better with user behavior. It’s a feedback loop: we spell it that way because we see it that way, and we see it that way because everyone spells it that way.
Real-World Examples of Usage
If you look at the New York Times or The Guardian, you will see "shareable" used in almost every instance.
"The app’s new update focuses on creating more shareable moments for users."
If you see "sharable" in a major publication, it’s often a stylistic choice by a specific editor or a relic of an older house style guide that hasn't been updated in twenty years. Even social media platforms themselves—the kings of sharing—use the "e." Go to your settings on almost any major app. You'll see "shareable link." They’ve done the A/B testing. They know what people recognize.
A Deeper Look at the -able Suffix
The "-able" vs "-ible" and the "drop the e" vs "keep the e" debate is one of the most frustrating parts of English.
Think about these words:
- Likeable (or Likable)
- Sizeable (or Sizable)
- Moveable (or Movable)
In all three cases, both versions are "correct," but there is usually a "more correct" version depending on who you ask. For "likable," the version without the "e" is actually quite popular in the US. But for "shareable," the "e" has much stronger staying power. It’s a linguistic quirk. There is no supreme court of spelling that makes a final ruling; there is only the collective agreement of millions of writers. And right now, the collective agreement is firmly on the side of the "e."
Practical Tips for Your Writing
If you're still worried about it, just set your spellcheck to a consistent region (like English-US or English-UK) and trust it. Most modern spellcheckers in Word, Google Docs, or Grammarly will default to shareable.
If you're writing for a client, check their previous content. Consistency is more important than being "technically" right. If they’ve used "sharable" on their blog for five years, don't come in and change it to "shareable" in one post. That just looks messy. But if you're starting from scratch? Go with the "e." Always.
Summary of the "Shareable" Rule
- Preferred Spelling: Shareable.
- Acceptable Variant: Sharable.
- Rule of Thumb: Keep the "e" to preserve the "long a" sound of the root word "share."
- Audience Preference: Global (US, UK, Canada, Australia) all prefer "shareable."
- SEO Benefit: Higher search volume for the "e" version.
Actionable Steps for Better Content
Stop overthinking it.
The next time you are writing, just type shareable. If your brain tries to tell you to delete the "e," ignore it. Focus instead on making the content actually worth sharing. Because let’s be real: no one ever refused to share a brilliant, life-changing article just because the author used a variant spelling of the word shareable.
- Audit your current site. Do a quick search of your existing content. If you've been inconsistent, pick one version (preferably "shareable") and use a find-and-replace tool to standardize it.
- Update your brand style guide. Add "shareable" to your list of preferred spellings so your freelancers and new hires don't have to guess.
- Check your Alt-Text and Metadata. Ensure your backend SEO keywords use the most common spelling to capture the most traffic.
- Focus on the "Shareability" factor. Spelling is the foundation, but the value is the house. Make sure your content solves a problem, entertains, or provides a unique perspective that makes people want to hit that share button.
Stick to the standard, keep the "e," and get back to the actual work of creating.