Pronunciation of Final -S
/ɪz/ /s/
Rule If the last consonant
sound of the word is a
sibilant sound, the final S
is pronounced as /ɪz/ and
as an extra syllable.
*If the sound has a J an extra syllable.
sound (/dʒ/ like the letter J
at the beginning of the
word jacket or /ʒ/ like the
S in pleasure), then the
final S is also pronounced
as /ɪz/.
Sound In a sibilant sound is
characterized by a vocal cords don’t vibrate. vocal cords and produces
hissing sound (sss), a
buzzing sound (zzz) or a
“be quiet” sound (shh).
/ɪz/ sound endings:
C, S, X, Z, SS, CH, SH,
GE.
E.g. races, pauses, nurses
fixes, boxes, hoaxes
amazes, freezes, prizes
kisses, misses, passes
churches, sandwiches
dishes, wishes, pushes
garages, changes, ages
/z/
If the last consonant of If the last consonant of
the word is voiceless, the the word is voiced, the
final S is pronounced final S is pronounced as
as /s/. /z/ (without creating
another syllable).
*Be careful not to create
*This ending is also used if
the word ends in a vowel
sound.
In a voiceless sound your A voiced sound uses
a vibration or humming
/s/ sound endings: sound in the throat when
P, T, K, F, PH, GH, TH. they are said.
/z/ sound endings:
B, D, G, L, M, N, NG, R,
V, Y, THE, VOWEL
SOUNDS.
cups, stops, sleeps crabs, rubs
hats, students, hits cards, words, rides, ends
cooks, books, drinks rugs, bags, begs
cliffs, sniffs, beliefs deals, calls, falls, girls
laughs, graphs → plums, dreams
(pronounced as an F) fans, drains, runs, pens
myths, tablecloths kings, belongs, sings
wears, cures
gloves, wives, shelves
plays, boys, says
clothes, bathes,
breathes
sees, fleas, bees, flies