How To Pronounce Motion

motion

Phonemic

/ˈməʊ.ʃən/

Phonetic

[ˈməʊ.ʃn̩]

Phonemic

/ˈmoʊ.ʃən/

In British English, motion is pronounced /ˈməʊ.ʃən/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [ˈməʊ.ʃn̩]. In American English, it is pronounced /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/.

Motion has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first syllable. The British and American pronunciations are different, so listen to both.

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.

Syllables, Stress And Endings

Syllables And Stress

məʊʃən

Motion has two syllables in British English, and the main stress is on the first syllable, shown in colour above. Its stress pattern is Oo, where O is the stressed syllable.

motion + -s

-s (plural, possessive or singular verb) is /z/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/ˈməʊ.ʃənz/

/ˈmoʊ.ʃənz/

motion + -ed

-ed (past tense or past participle) is /d/ after a voiced consonant or a vowel sound.

/ˈməʊ.ʃənd/

/ˈmoʊ.ʃənd/

motion + -ing

-ing is always /ɪŋ/.

/ˈməʊ.ʃən.ɪŋ/

/ˈmoʊ.ʃən.ɪŋ/

Words That Rhyme With Motion

Questions About Motion

How do you pronounce motion in British English?

In British English, motion is pronounced /ˈməʊ.ʃən/. The narrow phonetic transcription is [ˈməʊ.ʃn̩].

How do you pronounce motion in American English?

In American English, motion is pronounced /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/.

How many syllables are in motion?

Motion has two syllables, /məʊ/ + /ʃən/.

Where is the stress in motion?

The main stress is on the first syllable, /məʊ/.

Do British and American English pronounce motion the same way?

No. British English has /ˈməʊ.ʃən/ and American English has /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/.

Search All 10,380 Words In The App

Other Words With The Stress Pattern Oo

Nearby Words

Learn English and Literature with Adroit Tutors on our website, and order course materials there too.