Pronunciation of “S”
Pronunciation Most words ending in “s” are pronounced /s/ kids, toys, games, eats, plays, …. Some words have a different pronunciation /iz/ sandwiches, kisses, buses, watches, …
Pronunciation 1 Is the “s” pronounced /s/? Not always The “s” can be pronounced two ways. We say /s/ after voiceless consonants /f, p, t, k, θ/ and all vowels. cups baths
Pronunciation of 2 We say /z/ after a voiced consonant /b, d, g, g, l, m, n, ŋ, r, v, d/ beds games
Pronunciation How can I remember which consonants are voiced and which ones are voiceless?
Pronunciation Place your hand on your throat. If a consonant is voiced, you will feel the vibration of your voice. If a consonant is voiceless, you will feel no vibration.
Pronunciation of 3 We add the sound /iz/ after words whose final sound is /s, z, t ʃ, d ʒ and x/ Bus Wish Watch Fox Buses Wishes Watches foxes
Exercises Decide the pronunciation of the following words: sky choose cross phone stop teach friend language dish box read watch parent book nephew look
Check your answers /s/ /z/ /iz/ stops parents books looks skies phones friends nephews dishes teaches boxes languages watches chooses crosses