Practise Using the -ion Suffixes

 In this activity, we’re going to be looking at suffixes.

 

Suffixes are groups of letters added onto the ends of words.

 

We’re going to look at four suffixes which all make a similar sound: -tion, -ssion, -sion and -cian.

 

 

The Suffix – tion

If the root word ends in a t or te, we use the suffix -tion.

 

invent --> invention

act --> action

hesitate -> hesitation

complete --> completion

 

 

Can you see how we’re only really adding -ion here but we call the suffix -tion?

For words ending in -te, we remove the e before adding -ion.

 

The Suffix -ssion

If the root word ends in -ss or -mit, we use the suffix -ssion.

 

express --> expression

discuss --> discussion

confess --> confession

permit --> permission

admit --> admission

 

For the words ending in -mit, we remove the t and add -ssion.

For the words already ending in -ss, we just add -ion.

 

The Suffix -sion

If a root word ends in a d or -se, we use the suffix -sion.

 

expand --> expansion

extend --> extension

tense --> tension

comprehend --> comprehension

 

 

Can you see that we remove the d before adding -sion for words ending in d?

We remove the e before adding -sion for words ending in se.

 

The Suffix -cian

Our final suffix!

If the root word ends in -c or -cs, we use the suffix -cian.

 

music --> musician

magic --> magician

electric --> electrician

politic --> politician

mathematic --> mathematician

 

 

Lots of these words ending in -cian could be people’s jobs. Many jobs such as electrician and beautician end in -cian.

 

In this activity, you’ll be deciding whether to use -tion, -ssion, -sion or -cian.

 

Make sure you read the rules for each one carefully before moving on.

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