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Learn to ReadπŸš€ Ages 7-10Beginner 6 min read

Words Ending in -sion

Learn the -sion ending, the cousin of -tion, in words like television, vision and explosion. A spelling lesson for ages 6-8 with games and a quiz.

Key takeaways

  • The ending -sion can sound like 'shun' or 'zhun'
  • Words like television, vision and explosion end in -sion
  • -sion is the cousin of -tion and often follows the letters l, n or a vowel

The cousin of -tion

You may know the -tion ending that sounds like shun. Meet its cousin: -sion. πŸ“Ί

Sometimes -sion also sounds like shun. Other times it buzzes like zhun! Listen:

  • mansion 🏰 (say "man-shun")
  • vision πŸ‘οΈ (say "vi-zhun")
  • television πŸ“Ί (say "tele-vi-zhun")

Put your hand on your throat and feel it buzz on "zhun".

Read these -sion words

Say each word slowly. Listen for the ending.

  • explosion πŸ’₯
  • decision πŸ€”
  • division βž—
  • confusion 😡
  • invasion πŸš€

They all finish with the chunk s-i-o-n.

A word list to read

WordSounds like
television πŸ“Ίtele-vi-zhun
vision πŸ‘οΈvi-zhun
mansion 🏰man-shun
explosion πŸ’₯ex-plo-zhun
decision πŸ€”de-ci-zhun

How to choose -sion

When a word ends in the shun or zhun sound, ask:

  1. Does it buzz like zhun? Then it is almost always -sion (vision, television).
  2. Does it come after l or n? Often -sion too (mansion, expulsion).
  3. When in doubt, sound it out and remember the whole chunk -sion.

Well done!

Now you can read and spell -sion words too. You know both cousins: -tion and -sion!

Next, try Words Ending in -tion and Soft C and Soft G.

Quick quiz

Test yourself and earn XP

Which word ends in -sion?

How can the ending -sion sound?

Finish the word: explo___

Play & learn

-sion word cards +5 XP

Match the picture to the word +10 XP

FAQ

Both can sound like 'shun', but -sion often follows l, n or a vowel and can buzz like 'zhun', as in vision and television.

No. Sometimes it is a soft 'shun' (mansion) and sometimes a buzzy 'zhun' (television, vision).