The many faces of the letter "s" (pronunciation information)

Pronunciation tips: plural /s/, /z/, and /iz/

Rule 1 If a word ends with CH, SH, SS, S, X and sometimes O and E, the final -s is pronounced /iz/.

Rule 2 If a word ends with any other voiceless (don’t vibrate) consonant sound (/p/, /t/, /k/, /f/), the final –s is pronounced /s/.

Rule 3 If a word ends with any other voiced (vibrate) consonant sound (/b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /l/, /r/, /m/, /n/, or a vowel sound, the final –s is pronounced /z/.

What is voiced?

They use the voice. This is easy to test by putting your finger on your throat. If you feel a vibration the consonant is voiced. Here is a list of some voiced consonants. Pronounce each consonant sound (not the letter) and feel the vibration of your vocal chords.

b

d

th (as in then)

v

l

r

z

j (as in Jane)

What is voiceless?

They do not use the voice. They are percussive and use hard sounds. Once again, you can test if a consonant is voiceless by putting your finger on your throat. You feel no vibration in your throat, just a short explosion of air as you pronounce. Pronounce each of these consonant sounds and feel NO vibration in your throat.

p

t

k

s

sh

ch

th (as in thing)