Words ending in -tion, -sion, and -cian
Are you ready to master some of the trickiest spelling endings in English? Let’s explore -tion, -sion, and -cian. They all sound similar, but each has its own special role. With a few simple tips, you’ll know which one to use in no time.
First, let’s look at -tion. This ending is the most common, and it’s usually used when words are about an action, state, or process. If the base word is a verb that ends in -t or -te, -tion is your go-to choice. For example, take the word “create.” When you turn it into a noun, it becomes “creation.” Other examples include “invention” from “invent” and “education” from “educate.” If you hear a clear “t” sound before the ending, -tion is probably correct.
Now for -sion. This ending often appears in words where the base verb ends in a -d or -s (z) sound. It’s used to describe a state or result. For example, “expand” becomes “expansion,” “decide” turns into “decision,” and “confuse” changes to “confusion.” Here’s a helpful hint: if you hear a “jh” sound (like in “vision”), then -sion is likely the right ending. But watch out! Some words don’t follow this rule, like “collision,” which ends in -sion even though it doesn’t follow the usual pattern.
Finally, there’s -cian, the ending reserved for professions or skilled roles. If the word describes a person’s job or craft, -cian is the answer. For example, someone skilled in music is a “musician,” someone who works with magic is a “magician,” and someone who fits glasses is an “optician.”
To help you remember these rules, try this sentence: “The musician showed precision during the magical creation of a new invention.” It includes examples of all three endings in one sentence.
Here’s a quick challenge: Can you figure out the correct endings for these words?
- Explode ➔ Explo_____
- Politic ➔ Politi_____
- Collide ➔ Colli_____
By practising and recognising these patterns, you’ll have no trouble deciding when to use -tion, -sion, or -cian.
Try to find as many of spelling rule words in the short story below!
The Big School Project
It was the start of the term, and the class had been assigned a huge group project to prepare for the nation’s Education Fair. Each team had to create something that demonstrated learning, teamwork, and creativity. Chloe, Mia, and their classmates were buzzing with ideas.
Chloe suggested they create a model of a futuristic city. “We could show the protection technology used in cities to keep them safe,” she said. The group agreed, and the idea was set in motion.
As part of the operation, Mia volunteered to research new inventions. She found one called the “Expansion Dome,” which could turn small spaces into large ones. “This could fit into our project perfectly,” she said during their next meeting.
However, things didn’t go smoothly. During their brainstorming session, a heated argument broke out. Chloe wanted to focus on the creative aspects, while Mia insisted on sticking to practical solutions. “We need to make a decision, or we’ll never finish,” said Aaron, their team leader.
The group decided to include a city’s foundation in their model, showing how buildings could be stable even in earthquakes. Chloe focused her attention on designing a park with creative walking paths, while Mia worked on the traffic system to reduce division between neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, their teacher, Mrs Clarke, arranged a visit from a politician to explain how city laws work. The group learned a lot about how rules could keep people safe, and they decided to include this in their presentation. They also invited an optician to talk about vision technology for drivers in their futuristic city.
On the day of the Education Fair, their booth was buzzing with visitors. A musician played live music nearby, adding a lively atmosphere. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion from another group’s project—it turned out someone had overfilled their science experiment!
Despite the drama, Chloe’s team impressed the judges with their creativity. They were thrilled when their booth drew the largest crowd, breaking all records for admission numbers. Their model city, complete with a celebration area and transport systems, stood out. A reporter from the local television station even interviewed them about their work.
The highlight of the day came when their city was declared the winner. Chloe smiled as she thought about how their teamwork had turned their ideas into reality. The project had gone from confusion to creation and earned them a place in their school’s history.
How many -tion, -sion or -cian words did you manage to find in the story? Now that you are more familiar with the rules about these spellings, it’s time to have a go at spelling some of these words from memory.
