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-SION words

The ending -sion has two sounds: a soft zh after a vowel (decision, vision, television) and sh after a consonant (mission, tension, expression). The zh sound is rare in English and hard for many learners, resembling the s in measure. Stress falls on the syllable before the ending, as with -tion.

Accent

15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.

The words

decision
mission
television
vision
tension
expression
confusion
permission
division
discussion
occasion
admission
conclusion
impression
explosion

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Keep practising

Browse every practice list or the word index, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.

To read the rules behind these words, see the pronunciation guides — including silent letters, word stress and American vs British. Or hear each accent on its own page: American, British, Australian.