Subjects:

QUESTION: What's the difference between APPROPRIATE and SUITABLE?

ANSWER:

APPROPRIATE and SUITABLE are both qualitative adjectives - i.e. they describe the quality of something - and are very similar in meaning and usage. They carry the meaning of 'fitted, suited to a purpose.
They are both placed as modifiers before nouns and they are both used as complements after the verb be, although appropriate is perhaps more commonly used in this way, especially with the pronoun it.
They are both used with the preposition for and are often used with negative prefixes.
The adjectival form suitable (for) sometimes crops us in the verb format suited (to). Study the following examples:
- It is inappropriate to make jokes at funerals.
- It was inappropriate for her to joke with the Queen in such a light-hearted manner.
- The clothes she was wearing were quite unsuitable/inappropriate for the cold weather.
- Does this dress suit me? ~ Oh yes, it does. And it's very suitable/appropriate for formal occasions.
- It is a very violent film and is considered unsuitable/inappropriate for children to watch.
- I'm glad you praised him for that. It was an appropriate thing to do. - He is just not suited to/suitable for this type of work.
- Such small flats are not really suitable for couples with young children. It is unsuitable/inappropriate accommodation.