HOW TO PRONOUNCE WORDS ENDING IN “S”

There are three ways of pronouncing “s” at the end of a word: /IZ/, /S/, /Z/ .
The pronunciation depends on the final consonant or vowel sound of the word

SIBILANT SOUND (hissing or buzzing sound):

The “s” is pronounced with the /IZ/ sound when the final consonant/vowel sound is a sibilant
Final consonant Plural word Final consonant Plural
or vowel (with sibilant sound) or vowel (with sibilant sound)
C Races SS Kisses
S Buses CH Watches
X Boxes SH Dishes
Z Prizes GE Changes

VOICELESS SOUND (vocal folds do not vibrate):

The “s” is pronounced with the /S/ sound when the final consonant/vowel sound is voiceless
Final consonant Plural word Final consonant Plural
or vowel (with sibilant sound) or vowel (with sibilant sound)
P Sleeps F Surfs
T Hats GH Laughs
K Books PH Graphs

VOICED SOUND AND VOWEL SOUND (vocal folds vibrate):

The “s” is pronounced with /Z/ when the final consonant ends in a voiced sound or the final
consonant is a vowel sound.
Voiced Sound Vowel Sound
B Crabs Long A Plays
D Words Long E Sees
G Bags Long I Tries
L Falls Long O Follows
M Dreams Long U Crews
N Fans Short A Has
NG Sings Short E Edges
R Wears Short I His
V Gloves Short O Laws
Short U Does
 Summary and Practice

Summary Table /S/ /Z/ /IZ/

Regular Plural Noun Books Words Buses
3rd Person Singular Verb Sleeps Plays Watches
Possessive Noun Mike’s Mary’s Alice’s

Practice: Write in the final sound next to the word by writing /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/

Goes /z/ Walks /s/ Wishes /ɪz/

Martin’s Boats Apples
Days Leaves Laces
Quizzes Parties Leaps
Lila’s Stereos Matt’s
Months Coughs Teachers
News Hisses Seas
Clues Suits Buys