English word endings follow predictable pronunciation patterns, but they can be tricky because the spelling often doesn't match the sound. Once you learn these patterns, you'll be able to pronounce thousands of words correctly.
This guide covers the 8 most important word endings that appear in everyday English.
The -tion Ending: /ʃən/
This is one of the most common endings in English. Despite being spelled with a "t", it's pronounced as /ʃ/ (the "sh" sound).
Pattern: -tion = /ʃən/ (sounds like "shun")
More examples: action, situation, question, vacation, celebration, communication, pronunciation
Exception: When -tion follows an "s"
When -tion comes after an "s", the pronunciation changes slightly:
- question /ˈkwestʃən/ (still /ʃən/)
- suggestion /səɡˈdʒestʃən/ (still /ʃən/)
The -sion Ending: /ʒən/ or /ʃən/
This ending has two pronunciations depending on the letter before it.
Pattern 1: After a vowel = /ʒən/ (like "zh" in "vision")
Pattern 2: After a consonant = /ʃən/ (like "shun")
The -ture Ending: /tʃər/
This ending is pronounced like "chur", not "tyur".
Pattern: -ture = /tʃər/ (sounds like "cher")
More examples: adventure, furniture, temperature, structure, mixture, creature
The -ous Ending: /əs/
This ending reduces to a simple schwa + s sound.
Pattern: -ous = /əs/ (sounds like "us")
More examples: curious, serious, obvious, previous, various, enormous
The -ious Ending: /iəs/ or /jəs/
When there's an "i" before -ous, it often adds a slight "ee" sound.
Pattern: -ious = /iəs/ or /jəs/
The -ness Ending: /nɪs/ or /nəs/
This suffix turns adjectives into nouns.
Pattern: -ness = /nɪs/ or /nəs/
The -ment Ending: /mənt/
This ending also turns verbs into nouns.
Pattern: -ment = /mənt/
The -able/-ible Ending: /əbəl/
Both spellings are pronounced the same way.
Pattern: -able/-ible = /əbəl/
Quick Reference Table
| Ending | Pronunciation | Sounds Like | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -tion | /ʃən/ | "shun" | nation |
| -sion (after vowel) | /ʒən/ | "zhun" | vision |
| -sion (after consonant) | /ʃən/ | "shun" | tension |
| -ture | /tʃər/ | "cher" | nature |
| -ous | /əs/ | "us" | famous |
| -ious | /iəs/ | "ee-us" | serious |
| -ness | /nɪs/ | "nis" | happiness |
| -ment | /mənt/ | "ment" | government |
| -able/-ible | /əbəl/ | "uh-bul" | possible |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Pronouncing the "t" in -tion
- Wrong: na-ti-on /neɪtiɒn/
- Right: na-shun /ˈneɪʃən/
Mistake 2: Adding syllables to -ture
- Wrong: pic-tu-re (3 syllables)
- Right: pic-cher /ˈpɪktʃər/ (2 syllables)
Mistake 3: Pronouncing -ous as "oos"
- Wrong: fam-oos
- Right: fam-us /ˈfeɪməs/
Practice Sentences
Try reading these sentences aloud, paying attention to the word endings:
- "The nation celebrated the decision with great happiness."
- "Education about nature is important for the environment."
- "The famous picture caused confusion among curious visitors."
- "The government made an incredible development possible."
Why These Patterns Exist
Many of these endings come from Latin and French. When English borrowed these words, the pronunciation evolved while the spelling stayed closer to the original. Understanding this history helps explain why English spelling and pronunciation often don't match.