Introduction
When it comes to the pronunciation of the plural “s” in English, there are a few rules to keep in mind. The pronunciation of the plural “s” can vary depending on the sound that comes before it: voiced, voiceless, or sibilant. Let’s explore these rules displayed in the following table:
| /z/ (after voiced sounds) | /s/ (after some voiceless sounds) | /ɪz/ or /əz/ (after sibilants) |
| b as in labs d as in ads g as in bags l as in hills m as in films n as in cans ng as in songs r as in bars th as in the v as in caves w as in cows y as in guys a as in seas e as in toes I as in skis o as in mosquitos u as in gurus | f as in beliefs k as in rocks p as in drops q as in umiaqs t as in cats | s as in buses ss as in bosses z as in quizzes sh ( ʃ ) as in dishes ch ( tʃ ) as in churches tch ( tʃ ) as in watches g (dʒ) as in languages c ( s ) as in places x as in boxes |
Voiced sound + S:
- When a word ends in a voiced sound, such as a vowel sound or a voiced consonant, the plural “s” is pronounced as /z/. This means that the “s” is voiced and creates a buzzing sound.
- Examples: dogs /dɔɡz/, bags /bægs/, birds /bɜːrdz/.
Voiceless sound + S:
- When a word ends in a voiceless sound, such as an unvoiced consonant, the plural “s” is pronounced as /s/. This means that the “s” is not voiced and creates a hissing sound.
- Examples: books /bʊks/, hats /hæts/, maps /mæps/.
Sibilants + S:
- If the word ends in a sibilant sound, such as /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, or /dʒ/, the plural “s” is pronounced as /ɪz/. This adds an extra syllable to the word.
- Examples: kisses /kɪsɪz/, buses /bʌsɪz/, watches /wɒtʃɪz/.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that these rules apply to most standard English accents. However, there may be some regional variations in pronunciation.
Remember, mastering the pronunciation of the plural “s” can greatly enhance your spoken English and help you communicate more effectively. Practice these rules and listen to native speakers to refine your pronunciation skills.
