Watch: The 'shun' sound
The 'shun' sound can be spelt in three different ways which one you use depends on the last letter or letters of the root word.
- If the root word ends with 'c' or 'cs' use the -cian suffix: magic - magician
- When the root word ends with 'd' or 'se' the suffix used is usually -sion: expand - expansion
- If the root word ends with 't' or 'te' use -tion: invent - invention
Can you think of any other words which end in 'cian', 'sion' or 'tion'?
Hello and welcome to the show!
Today is all about the four ways of spelling the 'shun' sound… but which one should you use?
Question one. Which suffix should I add to the word 'magic' to make 'magician'?
Correct! Words which end with a C or CS use the 'CIAN' suffix.
And here is your Magician!
And your bonus question. Which suffix would I add to 'expand' to make 'expansion'?
Correct! Words which end with a D or SE usually use 'SION' to make a new word
Now, contestant number two…
Your word is 'invent'.
I'm afraid that is incorrect! 'Invent' ends with a T, and words ending in T or TE use 'TION'.
So no hoverboard invention for you!
Join us next week for another exciting episode of 'What you spell is what you get'!
Activity
Activity 2
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers! game
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission.
More on Spelling
Find out more by working through a topic
- count11 of 16
- count12 of 16
- count13 of 16
- count14 of 16
