4 syllables: Im, mi, gra, tion. Stress on gra.
im-uh-GRAY-shuhn
/ˌɪməˈɡɹeɪʃən/
Immigration is pronounced im-uh-GRAY-shuhn (/ˌɪməˈɡɹeɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Im-mi-gra-tion), with the stress on "gra". Immigration is the act or policy of people moving to a country to live there permanently, typically for work, safety, or family reasons. As a noun, it refers to the process, system, or people involved in moving across borders. It is pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable, and involves a light, unstressed suffix that blends into natural speech.
nounImmigration is the act or policy of people moving to a country to live there permanently, typically for work, safety, or family reasons. As a noun, it refers to the process, system, or people involved in moving across borders. It is pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable, and involves a light, unstressed suffix that blends into natural speech.
-Common Mistakes: • Over-stressing the second syllable (im-MI-gration)Fragmented. Correction: keep stress on the third syllable: im-i-GRAY-shun, with a quick, light second syllable. • Prolonging the middle /ɪ/ instead of reducing to a schwa; aim for im-ə-GRAY-shən, especially in connected speech. • Ending too strongly with /ən/ vs /ən/; in natural speed, the ending is a light /ʃən/ with a weak nucleus. -Practicing tip: practice with deliberate pace, then speed up while maintaining stress and the final /ʃən/.
How to Pronounce Immigration
"The new policy changes affected immigration from several neighboring countries."
"Researchers study immigration patterns to understand cultural and economic impacts."
"She works with immigrants to help them navigate documentation and assimilation."
Immigration is pronounced /ˌɪm.ɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/ in US and UK, with primary stress on the third syllable: im-uh-GRAY-shun. In fast speech, the middle vowel can become a schwa and the ending may sound like -shn. For reference, try a slow articulation: /ˌɪ.mɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/.
Common errors: (1) stressing the wrong syllable, saying /ˌɪmˈɪɡreɪˌʃən/ or /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən/; (2) turning -tion into a pure /ʃən/ without the onset; sometimes speakers insert an extra syllable /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪ.jən/. Correction: keep the primary stress on the third syllable, reduce the second to a quick /ɪ/ or schwa, and end with /ʃən/ rather than a separate /jən/.”,
In US, UK, and AU, final -tion typically yields /ʃən/. Rhoticity does not affect this word’s ending. The main difference is vowel duration and quality of /ɪ/ vs /ɪə/ or /iː/ in some dialects. US tends to reduce /ɪmɪ/ quickly, UK can have slightly crisper /ɪmɪ/, AU often vowels are slightly broader; all share /ˌɪ.mɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/ with stress on 3rd syllable.
Two main challenges: the unstressed second syllable /ɪ/ is quick and may reduce to a schwa in fluent speech, and the tricky /ˈɡreɪ/ sequence where the diphthong /eɪ/ slides; keeping the /ˈɡreɪ/ cluster clear helps avoid blending into /ɡreə/ or /ɡərɪ/. Practicing the exact sequence im-ɪ-GRAY-shən helps improve accuracy.
No silent letters in traditional pronunciation; every letter in immigration contributes to the sound: the first i, the second i as a quick vowel, the /m/, the /g/ in /ɡreɪ/, the /ʃ/ in -tion, and the final /ən/. The perception of the ending can soften but not vanish, so the final /ən/ is audible even in rapid speech.
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US: rhotics; UK: non-rhotic; AU: non-rhotic but vowel quality closer to US; key vowels: /ɪ/ in first syllable, /ɪ/ or /ə/ in second; /eɪ/ is a tense diphthong; /ʃən/ is a reduced syllable. -Pay attention to the onset of /ɡreɪ/; avoid /ɡrɪ/; keep /ɡreɪ/ clearly and reduce the middle; practice with IPA examples.
Immigration comes from the Latin im-, meaning ‘into’ or ‘toward,’ and migratio, from migrare ‘to move, to wander,’ with the English form influenced by Old French immigration. The term entered English via legal and political discourse in the 19th century as nation-states formalized cross-border movement. The root migr- means ‘to move,’ while the suffix -ation forms a noun indicating the action or process. Early usage tracked the growth of modern nation-states, colonial borders, and labor movements, evolving from general movement terms to a specific, policy-centered concept. In contemporary usage, immigration denotes not just act but the frameworks, rights, and debates surrounding people who enter a country to reside. The word’s sense has expanded beyond strict legal entry to include humanitarian, economic, and social dimensions, reflecting policy shifts and public discourse over time.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Immigration" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Immigration" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Immigration" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Immigration"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
