Suffix “-tion” and “-sion”

Suffix “-tion” and “-sion”

The “-tion” and closely related “-sion” suffixes are among the most frequently used stress-controlling suffixes in American English. All of these suffixes cause the syllable previous to the “-tion” or “-sion” to carry the main stress of the word.

“-tion” suffix: “sh” sound and “ch” sound

The “-tion” is pronounced with an “sh” sound unless the sound preceding the suffix is an “s” sound; then the suffix is likely to be pronounced with a “ch” sound. Of the two options, the “sh” sound pronunciation is much more common.

“-tion” suffix pronounced with “sh” sound	“-tion” suffix pronounced with “ch” sound
Section	Question
Position	Digestion
Acquisition	Exhaustion

“-sion” suffix: “sh” sound and “zh” sound

The “-sion” suffix is likely to be pronounced with a “zh” sound when it is preceded by an “r” sound or a vowel sound. In most other circumstances, the “sh” sound is the more likely pronunciation for the “-sion” suffix. Since both of these pronunciation patterns are common in American English, care should be taken with the pronunciation of all words containing the “-sion” suffix.

“-sion” suffix pronounced with “sh” sound	“-sion” suffix pronounced with “zh” sound
Tension	Vision
Expression	Conclusion
Apprehension	Decision

Observing

“-tion”	“-sion”
-       Application -       Association -       Celebration -       Dehydration -       Expectation -       Imagination -       Indigestion -       Prohibition -       Proposition -       Respiration -       Combustion -       Condition -       Animation	-       Compression -       Transfusion -       Discussion -       Impression -       Profession -       Suspension -       Television -       Confusion -       Explosion -       Obsession -       Occasion -       Illusion -       Mission

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