TI says “sh”
Before another vowel, TI often says “sh”, like in 'patient' and 'national'.
How this rule works
When TI comes before another vowel, the two letters blend into the “sh” sound: patient, spatial, national, initial. This is the same “sh” you hear in the -tion ending (nation), here inside words like -tial and -tional.
Remember: TI before a vowel says “sh” — be a patient, national helper!
Examples
Words that use this rule
23 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
Exceptions
The very common -tion/-sion endings are taught as their own suffix (/shun/).
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