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The most memorable ways to pronounce TION in English
The suffix "TION" commonly appears in English words, with multiple different pronunciation variants. Have you grasped the various ways to pronounce TION sounds in English yet? In the article below, PREP will provide a comprehensive overview of how to pronounce TION in different contexts!
I. Introduction to TION suffix in English
“TION” is a common suffix found in many nouns. Before learning how to pronounce TION, you can review words that typically contain it. Here are some common vocabulary words containing the "TION" suffix:
|
Word |
Pronunciation |
Example |
| Action | /ˈæk.ʃən/ | He took immediate action to stop the fire. |
| Addition | /əˈdɪʃ.ən/ | The addition of a new wing to the hospital will increase its capacity. |
| Attention | /əˈten.ʃən/ | Pay attention to what the teacher is saying. |
| Acceleration | /əkˌseləˈreɪʃn/ | This model has the best acceleration of any available sports car. |
| Celebration | /ˌsel.əˈbreɪ.ʃən/ | The celebration of the new year is a time of joy and happiness. |
| Communication | /kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | Good communication is essential for a successful relationship. |
| Condition | /kənˈdɪʃ.ən/ | The car is in excellent condition. |
| Connection | /kəˈnek.ʃən/ | There is a connection between smoking and lung cancer. |
| Completion | /kəmˈpliːʃn/ | The project is due for completion in the spring. |
| Dedication | /ˌdedɪˈkeɪʃn/ | I really admire Gina for her dedication to her family. |
| Designation | /ˌdezɪɡˈneɪʃn/ | The district is under consideration for designation as a conservation area. |
| Education | /ˌedʒ.uˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | A good education is important for success in life. |
| Generation | /ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ | My grandparents are from a different generation than me. |
| Innovation | /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ | The company’s new product is an innovation in the industry. |
| Inspiration | /ˌɪn.spəˈreɪ.ʃən/ | The sunset was an inspiration for her painting. |
| Intention | /ɪnˈten.ʃən/ | I have no intention of quitting my job. |
| Interaction | /ˌɪn.tərˈæk.ʃən/ | The interaction between the two chemicals produced a new compound. |
| Introduction | /ˌɪn.trəˈdʌk.ʃən/ | The introduction of a new product was successful. |
| Invention | /ɪnˈvenʃn/ | Fax machines were a wonderful invention at the time. |
| Motion | /ˈməʊ.ʃən/ | The motion of the ocean can be soothing. |
| Mention | /ˈmenʃn/ | The newspaper failed to mention a word of Johnson's speech. |
| Notion | /ˈnəʊʃn/ | She had only a vague notion of what might happen. |
| Legislation | /ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃn/ | New legislation on the sale of drugs will be introduced next year. |
| Option | /ˈɒpʃn/ | There are various options open to you. |
| Punctuation | /ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃn/ | punctuation marks such as full stops and commas |
| Question | /ˈkwestʃən/ | That's a very interesting question. |
| Qualification | /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | He left school with no formal qualifications. |
| Specification | /ˌspesɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | The house has been built exactly to our specifications. |
| Television | /ˈtelɪvɪʒn/ | The series first appeared on television screens in 2017. |
| Temptation | /tempˈteɪʃn/ | Don't put temptation in his way by offering him cookies. |
| Imagination | /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ | You’ve always had a very vivid imagination. |
| Occupation |
/ˌɒk.jəˈpeɪ.ʃən/ /ˌɑː.kjəˈpeɪ.ʃən/ |
Please fill in your name, age, and occupation. |
| Conjunction |
/kənˈdʒʌŋk.ʃən/ /kənˈdʒʌŋk.ʃən/ |
Mars and Venus will be in exact conjunction on 1 September. |
II. A comprehensive guide on how to pronounce TION in English
The “TION” suffix is pronounced only as /ʃən/. Let’ see how to pronounce “TION” in the following examples:
- Action (/ˈæk.ʃən/)
- Reaction (/riˈæk.ʃən/)
- Instruction (/ɪnˈstrʌk.ʃən/)
- Suggestion (/səˈdʒɛstʃən/)
- Question (/ˈkwɛstʃən/)
- Combustion /kəmˈbʌstʃən/)
The "-TION" suffix is always an unstressed syllable. Therefore, in words containing the "-TIONn" suffix, the word stress or accent will fall on the syllable before it. For example:
- Production (/prəˈdʌk.ʃən/)
- Correction (/kəˈrek.ʃən/)
- Digestion /daɪˈdʒestʃən/)
- Exhaustion /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/)
III. Exercises on how to pronounce TION in English with detailed answers
Exercise 1: Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the other words.
- A. station B. ration C. passion D. mansion
- A. lotion B. portion C. motion D. notion
- A. caution B. auction C. education D. situation
- A. fiction B. friction C. section D. addiction
- A. digestion B. suggestion C. congestion D. question
Answers:
- D. mansion /ˈmænʃən/
- D. notion /ˈnoʊʃən/
- D education /ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/
- D. fiction /ˈfɪkʃən/
- D question /ˈkwɛstʃən/
Exercise 2: Read the following words out loud and pay attention to the “pronunciation” of “tion”:
|
Word |
Pronunciation |
|
Celebration |
/ˌseləˈbreɪʃən/ |
|
Foundation |
/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/ |
|
Precision |
/prɪˈsɪʒən/ |
|
Decoration |
/ˌdekəˈreɪʃən/ |
|
Renovation |
/ˌrenəˈveɪʃən/ |
|
Direction |
/dəˈrekʃən/ |
|
Supervision |
/ˌsuːpərˈvɪʒən/ |
|
Satisfaction |
/ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ |
|
Construction |
/kənˈstrʌkʃən/ |
|
Completion |
/kəmˈpliːʃən/ |
|
Innovation |
/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ |
|
Attention |
/əˈtenʃən/ |
|
Mansion |
/ˈmænʃən/ |
|
Destination |
/ˌdestɪˈneɪʃən/ |
|
Interaction |
/ˌɪntərˈækʃən/ |
|
Association |
/əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/ |
When practicing the way to pronounce TION, you can take note of the words to further expand your vocabulary.
IV. From Beginner to Band 7+
This article has provided detailed instructions on how to pronounce TION most completely. If you want to overcome your weak points in IELTS Speaking- check out our IELTS course below:
- IELTS online course: Master IELTS With Us!
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