-tion
ʃən
Where a moving action hardens into a block you can hold
The picture An action that was still moving sets hard on the spot and becomes a square block you can put on a desk and pick up. -tion hardens a movement into a block; -ize melts a block back into movement.
Where the picture shows up in -tion
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applying becomes one sheet of paper
Please fill out this application.
pliːz fɪl aʊt ðɪs ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən
Write your details on this form, please.
The act of applying sets hard and lies on the counter as a single printed sheet.
apply + -tion.
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reserving becomes a line in a book
I have a reservation for seven o'clock.
aɪ hæv ə ˌrezərˈveɪʃən fɔːr ˈsevən əˈklɑːk
A table is held for me at seven.
The promise you made hardens into one ruled line with your name written in it.
reserve + -tion.
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informing becomes a bundle you carry
I need more information about the fee.
aɪ niːd mɔːr ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən əˈbaʊt ðə fiː
Tell me more about what it costs.
The words that were told to you harden into a stack of pages in your hand.
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instructing becomes numbered lines
Follow the instructions on the box.
ˈfɑːloʊ ði ɪnˈstrʌkʃənz ɑːn ðə bɑːks
Do what it says on the box.
Spoken teaching sets hard into 1, 2, 3 printed down the side of a box.
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being joined becomes one line
The connection is very slow today.
ðə kəˈnekʃən ɪz ˈveri sloʊ təˈdeɪ
The internet is crawling today.
The state of being joined hardens into a single drawn line in a screen corner.
All of it in one picture
-tion is one mould that sets an action solid. The moving of apply hardens into a single sheet laid on a counter; the promise of reserve hardens into a line with your name in a book. Informing hardens into a bundle you carry in your hand, instructing hardens into numbered lines printed on a box, and being connected hardens into one drawn line in the corner of a screen. So when a strange -tion word turns up, don't hunt for a meaning — ask which action has set hard.