-sion ending

Rule Core

-sion is a productive English noun suffix, often signaling a state, process, or result. Phonically, it is usually realized as /ʒən/ or /ʃən/ depending on the preceding sound.

Articulation Guide

For /ʒən/, the tongue is raised toward the post‑alveolar region, lips relaxed, voicing maintained. For /ʃən/, airflow is stronger and voiceless, with the tongue slightly higher and more tension.

Word Analysis

• cohesion /koʊˈhiːʒən/: vowel + sion → voiced /ʒ/.
• confusion /kənˈfjuːʒən/: same voiced pattern.
• contentious /kənˈtɛnʃəs/: shows the /t/ + ion → /ʃ/ relationship in the word family.

Pitfall Alert

Do not confuse -sion with -tion or -cian; pronunciation depends on phonological context, not spelling alone.