The suffixes -tion and -sion are extremely common in English. That means that if you know how to use and pronounce them correctly, your vocabulary and overall comprehension of English will improve.
Usage of -tion
The ending -tion turns verbs into nouns.
moderate – moderation
communicate – communication
exaggerate – exaggeration
deceive – deception
express – expression
inform – information
describe – description
prepare – preparation
Pronunciation of -tion and -sion
The first trick to improve your pronunciation of these words is to remember to stress the syllable that comes before the prefix.
AC tion
sol U tion
o RA tion
e QUA tion
The second thing to know is that the suffixes have different sounds. The three different pronunciations are sh’n, g’n, and ch’n.
Listen to sounds in isolation, and then to the examples.
Sh’n
Pronunciation
Example with solution
G’n
Pronunciation
Example with confusion
Ch’n
Pronunciation
Example with question
Rules and Exceptions
Most of the time we pronounce both – tion and – sion as sh’n. However, there are a few exceptions. Check out the rules and exceptions:
Exceptions with – tion
If there is an S before – tion, the sound isn’t sh’n, as in shout. It is ch’n, as in church. Practice identifying and pronouncing the sh and ch sounds.
In the word equation, the – tion has the g’n sound, as jump or George.
Exceptions with – sion
If there is a vowel or an R before – sion, we pronounce the suffix as g’n.
Why do we even use -tion and -sion in the first place?
Usage of -tion and -sion
These suffixes are often used to turn a verb into a noun. Check out the following examples:
VERBS
to act
to imagine
to invent
to pollute
to create
to revolt
to exhaust
to associate
to expand
to delude
to evade
to obsess
to collude
to decide
to invert
to exclude
NOUNS
action
imagination
invention
pollution
creation
revolution
exhaustion
association
expansion
delusion
evasion
obsession
collusion
decision
inversion
exclusion
Spelling tips
There are exceptions, but here are some general guidelines to help you know how to spell the nouns:
1.) With the exception of L, N, and R, consonants always have – tion after them.
2.) If a word ends in – tain, – vent, and -vene it takes – tion.
3.) Words that end in SS and MIT are followed by – sion.
If you would like to more about the spelling rules and exception, The Free Dictionary has an excellent guide.
Learn about -cian, -tian, and -cion
The suffix -cian is usually combined with nouns to refer to professions. We pronounce -cian sh’n. Here are some examples:
electrician
politician
musician
physician
technician
beautician
mathematician
It is uncommon, but you will find – tian at the end of a handful of words, including Christian, Egyptian, and Venetian. They all have the sh’n sound.
The ending -cion is very rare. The only words you are likely to use with these are suspicion and coercion.
Suspicion ends with the sh’n sound. And coercion ends with the g’n sound.
Try the quiz!
