2 syllables: struc, tion. Stress on tion.
in-STRUHK-shuhn
/ɪnˈstrʌkˌʃən/
struction is pronounced in-STRUHK-shuhn (/ɪnˈstrʌkˌʃən/). It has two syllables (struc-tion), with the stress on "tion". Struction is a not-so-common word-building suffix form that appears in compounds like construction or restructuring. In isolation, it functions more as a stem or fragment in linguistic contexts. It is not typically used as a standalone lexeme, so its pronunciation is mainly of interest when encountered within longer words.
Struction is a not-so-common word-building suffix form that appears in compounds like construction or restructuring. In isolation, it functions more as a stem or fragment in linguistic contexts. It is not typically used as a standalone lexeme, so its pronunciation is mainly of interest when encountered within longer words.
"The architect paused before starting the structure project, noting the word segments: con-struction."
"In linguistics, 'struction' often appears as a bound morpheme in terms like 'destruction' or 'construction.'"
"The research paper analyzed the etymology of -struction as a suffix forming nouns and verbs."
Pronounce it as struhk-TOO-shun, with the primary stress on the second syllable in many compounds (e.g., con-STRU-ction or in compounds where -struction is a mid-string). IPA: US/UK/AU: strʌkˈtjuːʃən in most common forms. The first syllable ends with a 'k' consonant cluster, then the 't' creates a light secondary onset for the 'u' vowel in the stressed syllable. Mouth position: a short, centralized schwa-like vowel (often /ʌ/ as in 'struck' or 'strut') in the first syllable, followed by a palatalized 'tʃ' glide sequence /tjuː/ or /tjuː/ in many dialects, then the final schwa /ən/.
Common errors: (1) De-voicing the final -tion to a hard -tin sound; ensure final /ʃən/ or /ʃən/ is accurate rather than /tən/. (2) Misplacing stress as con-STRUC-tion vs. con-stra-CTION; aim for the secondary stressed syllable in multi-syllable compounds. (3) Pronouncing /tjuː/ as /tuː/ or /juː/ lacking the /t/ + /j/ blend; keep the palatal offglide after /k/ as /tjuː/.
In US and UK, the /tjuː/ cluster tends to be pronounced with a clean /t/ plus /j/ glide forming /tʃuː/ or /tjuː/ depending on the word; US tends to be rhotic, UK may have non-rhotic tendencies in some dialects, affecting the following vowel length subtly; AU often maintains /tjuː/ but with a stronger /ə/ in the second syllable. Overall, the main variation is in the vowel quality of the /juː/ and the rhoticity of the final syllable, with most speakers producing /tjuː/ or /tʃuː/ sequences.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster at the end of the first syllable (/str/ followed by a harsh /k/), and the palatalized /tjuː/ transition which can blur in rapid speech. Learners often misplace tongue position for /t/ before /j/ (creating /tj/ rather than /tju/), or collapse /tjuː/ to /tuː/. Practicing the /str/ onset, then a clean /tjuː/ glide, and the final /ʃən/ helps anchor the pronounced form.
There is no silent letter in the common pronunciation of 'struction' as it appears in constructions like instruction or destruction. The letters in the sequence /strʌkˈtjuːʃən/ are all pronounced. Challenges come from the consonant cluster and the /tjuː/ sequence, not silent letters.
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The sequence -struction comes from Latin root struct- meaning ‘to build, put together’ found in words like structere (to arrange, organize) and constructus (drawn up, arranged). In Latin, the noun constructio gave rise to English construct-ion through Old French and Middle English pathways, preserving the sense of ‘a process of building or putting together.’ The English suffix -tion, deriving from Latin -tio/-tion, marks nouns formed from verbs or stems. -struction itself is a bound morpheme that appears primarily within larger words (e.g., destruction, instruction, construction), functioning as a combining form rather than an independent root. Over time, English borrowed and integrated many -struction compounds, often with subtle shifts in stress across syllables, but the core meaning remains tied to arranging, building, or structuring. First known uses appear in late medieval and early modern English constructions that parallel the Latin-derived terms, with the modern appearance stabilized by the Industrial and information eras where engineering, architecture, and systems design popularized words like construction and instruction. The practical distinction between destruction and construction, for example, hinges on the initial consonant cluster and stress placement in the full word, while the fragment -struction itself retains a closely related semantic field to structure and construction.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "struction" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "struction" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "struction"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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