-tion
Turns verbs nounal
A suffix forming nouns from verbs, indicating an action, process, or resulting state: educate becomes education, create becomes creation.
It's one of the most productive word-building elements in English, appearing in thousands of abstract nouns.
The suffix takes variant forms (-sion, -ation, -ition) depending on the verb it attaches to.
Imprecise mental impression
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- functionPurpose or duty
- junctionPoint where things meet
- optionAvailable course of action
auction · faction · fraction · section · diction · fiction · suction · traction
Creation or arrangement
- creationMaking something exist
- educationSystematic development of mind
- informationKnowledge about something
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
organization · construction · production · revolution · solution · translation · celebration · foundation
Act of changing states
- transitionChange from one state
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- modificationAct of altering something
transformation · progression · derivation · alteration · mutation · graduation · maturation · fermentation
Written proof or instructions
- publicationIssued written material
- illustrationPicture explaining something
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- installationProcess of putting in
compilation · composition · registration · certification · qualification · specification · configuration · representation
notion
Imprecise mental impression
option · auction · faction · fraction · section · diction · fiction · suction · traction · ration
formation
Creation or arrangement
- creationMaking something exist
- educationSystematic development of mind
- informationKnowledge about something
communication · organization · construction · production · revolution · solution · translation · celebration · foundation · motivation
conversion
Act of changing states
- transitionChange from one state
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
modification · transformation · progression · derivation · alteration · mutation · graduation · maturation · fermentation · crystallization
documentation
Written proof or instructions
- publicationIssued written material
- illustrationPicture explaining something
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
installation · compilation · composition · registration · certification · qualification · specification · configuration · representation · manifestation