Suffixes: -tion, -sion, -ssion, -cian
Source: DfE, English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013) — Years 3–4 statutory suffixes
Origin: Latin -tio / -tionis via Old French -tion / -sion
Purpose: Guide to the suffixes -tion and -sion — choosing the right form, word list with definitions, etymology, and morpheme-based practice activities.
What they mean
All four endings make nouns, usually meaning "the act of," "the state of," or "a person skilled in." They all make the /ʃən/ ("shun") sound.
The choice of spelling depends on the base word — see the decision tree below.
The decision tree
Does the word mean a PERSON who is skilled in something?
YES → -cian (musician, magician, politician)
NO → Does the base verb end in -d, -de, -se, or is it after -n or -l?
YES → -sion (division, tension, extension)
NO → Does a short vowel come just before the ending?
YES → -ssion (discussion, permission, passion)
NO → -tion (station, fraction, mention) ← DEFAULT
-tion examples
The default — use this when no other rule applies.
| Base | Noun | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| act | action | the act of doing |
| direct | direction | the act of directing |
| collect | collection | a gathering |
| invent | invention | something invented |
| attend → -tion | attention | focused awareness |
| inform | information | communicated facts |
| question | question | an inquiry |
| mention | mention | a brief reference |
| position | position | a place or stance |
| fraction | fraction | a part of a whole |
| station | station | a stopping place |
| nation | nation | a country |
-sion examples
Use after base verbs ending in -d, -de, -se, or after n and l.
| Base | Noun | Change |
|---|---|---|
| divide | division | de → s |
| decide | decision | de → s |
| revise | revision | se → s |
| extend | extension | d → s |
| expand | expansion | d → s |
| suspend | suspension | d → s |
| tense | tension | se → s |
| compel | compulsion | l → ls |
| comprehend | comprehension | d → s |
| dimension | dimension | n + -sion |
| mansion | mansion | n + -sion |
| pension | pension | n + -sion |
-ssion examples
Use when a short vowel precedes the ending, or when the base ends in -ss or -mit.
| Base | Noun | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| discuss | discussion | ss in base |
| permit | permission | mit → miss |
| admit | admission | mit → miss |
| omit | omission | mit → miss |
| transmit | transmission | mit → miss |
| confess | confession | ss in base |
| possess | possession | ss in base |
| passion | passion | short vowel before ending |
| mission | mission | short vowel |
| session | session | short vowel |
-cian examples
Always means a person skilled in a subject — especially when the subject ends in -ic or -ics.
| Field | Person | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| music | musician | music → musici- + an |
| magic | magician | magic → magici- + an |
| electric | electrician | electric + ian |
| politics | politician | politic + ian |
| mathematics | mathematician | mathematic + ian |
| physics | physician | physic + ian |
| optics | optician | optic + ian |
| diet | dietician | dietetic + ian |
| beauty | beautician | beautific + ian |
| technic | technician | technic + ian |
Morpheme family
act generates a powerful morpheme family:
act → action → active → actively → activate → activation → inactive → inaction → reactor → transaction → interaction
Teaching act (Latin actum = done) unlocks all of these.
Word sort
Use the decision tree. Sort by ending.
Words: station · division · musician · discussion · question · revision · electrician · tension · passion · mention · permission · magician · position · extension · session · politician · action · suspension · possession · fraction
| -tion | -sion | -ssion | -cian |
|---|---|---|---|
Dictation sentences
- The musician's position on stage caused some tension and discussion.
- She made her decision after a long session of careful revision.
- The politician had a passion for education and action on every occasion.
- After much deliberation, she gave her permission and the mission began.
- The electrician fixed the connection with great precision and attention to detail.
Source: DfE English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013). Etymology: Latin -tio / -tionis.
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