WF – nouns with -tion / -sion / -ion

Word Formation with -tion / -sion / -ion

Many English nouns are formed from verbs by adding the suffixes -tion, -sion, or -ion.

These suffixes usually express an action, process, or result.

• communicate → communication (the process of communicating)
• decide → decision (the result of deciding)

Which suffix is used often depends on spelling patterns:

1. -tion → most common, used after many verbs (inform → information).
2. -sion → usually after verbs ending in -d, -de, -se, -ss, -mit (decide → decision, permit → permission).
3. -ation → often when the verb ends in -ate (educate → education).
4. -ition / -ption / -ication → irregular patterns, must be memorised (repeat → repetition, consume → consumption, qualify → qualification).

👉 Tip for exams: Always mind the spelling changes when forming nouns:

• decide → decision (drop the „e“ + change to -sion)
• qualify → qualification (y → i + add -cation)

 

Organised Table

Noun	Base Verb	Suffix / Rule
action	act	-tion (common form)
collection	collect	-tion (regular)
correction	correct	-tion (regular)
description	describe	-tion (irregular spelling: b → pt + ion)
instruction	instruct	-tion (regular)
intention	intend	-tion (regular)
invention	invent	-tion (regular)
production	produce	-tion (regular)
promotion	promote	-tion (drop -e + add -ion)
suggestion	suggest	-tion (regular)
solution	solve	-tion (drop -e + add -ion)

 

Noun	Base Verb	Suffix / Rule
decision	decide	-sion (verbs ending in -de → decision)
discussion	discuss	-sion (verbs ending in -ss)
impression	impress	-sion (verbs ending in -ss)
permission	permit	-sion (verbs ending in -mit)
profession	profess	-sion (verbs ending in -ss)

 

Noun	Base Verb	Suffix / Rule
celebration	celebrate	-ation (verbs ending in -ate → ation)
communication	communicate	-ation (verbs ending in -ate → ation)
education	educate	-ation (verbs ending in -ate → ation)
examination	examine	-ation (verbs ending in -ine → -ination)
explanation	explain	-ation (verbs ending in -ain → -anation)
formation	form	-ation (regular)
imagination	imagine	-ation (verbs ending in -ine → -ination)
observation	observe	-ation (drop -e + add -ation)
occupation	occupy	-ation (y → i + ation)
translation	translate	-ation (verbs ending in -ate → ation)
transportation	transport	-ation (regular)

 

Special Patterns	Base Verb	Rule / Note
repetition	repeat	-ition (irregular spelling)
consumption	consume	-ption (drop -e + ption)
qualification	qualify	-ication (y → i + cation)

Complete the sentences by changing the word in brackets to the correct form: 

1. The teacher gave us clear __________________ about how to complete the project. (instruct)
2. Her job ___________________ involves translating texts into English. (occupy)
3. The team had a long ___________________ about the new marketing strategy. (discuss)
4. This book gives a detailed ___________________ of how the machine works. (describe)
5. His greatest ___________________ is the invention of the electric car. (achieve)
6. We had to wait for the manager’s ___________________ before making changes. (permit)
7. The students showed a lot of ___________________ during the group task. (imagine)
8. She received her teaching ___________________ after passing the exam. (qualify)
9. Their ___________________ was based on observing real-world data. (observe)
10. The new ___________________ of this word surprised many learners. (explain)
11. He made a strong first ___________________ during the interview. (impress)
12. The government is planning a large-scale road ___________________. (construct)
13. I was impressed by the level of ___________________ in her speech. (prepare)
14. They measured water ___________________ in different regions. (consume)
15. His sudden ___________________ of the company shocked everyone. (resign)

Answer Key

1.instruction2.occupation3.discussion4.description5.achievement6.permission7.imagination8.qualification 9.observation10.explanation11.impression12.construction13.preparation14.consumption15.resignation