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, June 15, 2025 in

Understanding Suffixes

Greeting English Learners!

In our ongoing quest to overcome pronunciation hurdles, today we dive into the nuances of words ending with “sion” and “cian“. While tricky at first, these suffixes can be mastered with a bit of practice and understanding.

Recap: Tion and Tian Suffixes

Before we delve into today’s focus, let’s quickly recap our previous lesson on tion and tian suffixes. Remember, words like attention and musician follow specific pronunciation rules depending on their preceding letters.

If you missed that post, catch up here: https://www.lendinglanguagelab.com/post/improve-your-pronunciation

Today’s Focus: Sion and Cian Suffixes

Now, let’s tackle words ending with “sion” and “cian“. The key to pronouncing these correctly lies in understanding their surroundings within the word.

Sion Pronunciation Rules:

1. If the word ends in “sion” and the letter before it is a vowel (a, e, i, o, u): Pronounce it as [zhun].

   – Example: Persuasion becomes Persuazhun, Explosion becomes Explozhun.

2. If the word ends in “sion” and the letter before it is a consonant: Pronounce it as [shun].

   – Example: Explosion remains Explosion but pronounced as Exploshun.

Cian Pronunciation Rule:

– Words ending with cian: Pronounce it as [shun].

  – Example: Clinician becomes Clinishun, Politician becomes Politishun.

Embrace Confidence in Pronunciation

Remember, mastering pronunciation is not just about correctness but also about confidence. Don’t let mispronounced words hold you back! With practice and these simple rules, you’ll soon find yourself speaking with clarity and assurance.


Join Us at Lending Language Lab

We hope you found today’s tips helpful and easy to grasp. At Lending Language Lab, we aim to empower you with language skills that boost your confidence. Please share your feedback with us, like this post and stay tuned for more insights into mastering English pronunciation.

Happy learning.



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