This time, we look at a group of words where word stress is predictable.

All these words end in the letters:

• -sion
• -tion
• or -cian

and the sound /ʃən/

For each of these words, the strong syllable is the one before this last syllable.

Remember the word stress for ‘station’ /ˈsteɪ.ʃən/? The first syllable is the strong one because it comes before -tion.

Now watch the video to hear and practise some other examples.

Here are the words you hear in the video. with links to the Cambridge Dictionary definition and pronunciation.

Words with 2 syllables:

• action /ˈæk.ʃən/
• option /ˈɒp.ʃən/
• version /ˈvɜː.ʒən/

 

Words with 3 syllables:

• description /dɪˈskrɪp.ʃən/
• expansion /ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/
• relation /rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

 

Words with 4 syllables:

• information /ˌɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/
• calculation /ˌkæl.kjəˈleɪ.ʃən/
• consultation /ˌkɒn.sʌlˈteɪ.ʃən/

 

Words with 5 syllables:

• negotiation /nəˌɡəʊ.ʃɪˈjeɪ.ʃən/
• globalisation /ˌɡləʊ.bə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
• congratulations /kənˌɡræ.tʃəˈleɪ.ʃənz/

If you want to practise matching these words to the phonetic symbols that show their pronunciation, here is a Quizlet study set.

By Louise and Barney

 

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