Speaking: Pronunciation A2 - Lesson 1: Pronouncing -s Endings (plurals, 3rd person verbs)

Speaking: Pronunciation A2

Pronouncing -s Endings

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly pronounce the three different sounds of "-s" endings on plural nouns and third-person verbs.

The Three Sounds of "-s" 🔊 (Click 🔊)

When we add an "-s" or "-es" to a word (like for plurals or simple present verbs for he/she/it), the sound of that ending can change. Getting these three sounds right will make your speaking much clearer.

/s/

Use after voiceless sounds like /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /θ/. (No throat vibration).

stops cats books

/z/

Use after voiced sounds like /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/, and all vowel sounds. (Throat vibrates).

dogs lives plays

/ɪz/

Use after "hissing" or "buzzing" sounds like /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʒ/ (zh), /tʃ/ (ch), /dʒ/ (j). Adds an extra syllable.

watches classes rises

Discover the Rule: The Throat Test ✋

The rule depends on the final sound of the original word (before adding -s). Is it voiced or voiceless?

1. Put your hand gently on your throat.
2. Make the sound /p/... /t/... /k/. You should feel mostly air, no vibration. These are voiceless sounds. 👉 Add the /s/ sound.
3. Now make the sound /b/... /d/... /g/... /m/... /aʊ/ (like in 'now'). You should feel a vibration or "buzz". These are voiced sounds. 👉 Add the /z/ sound.
4. Sounds like /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /tʃ/ (ch) are difficult to add just /s/ or /z/ to. So, we add an extra syllable: /ɪz/.

Practice the Sounds 🎯

Activity 1: Sort the Words (Self-Check)

Read the words below (click 🔊 to hear them). Decide which ending sound each word has: /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/? Check your answers below.

teaches, needs, hopes, bags, months, wishes, drives, boxes

/s/ sound words:

Show Answer

hopes, months

/z/ sound words:

Show Answer

needs, bags, drives

/ɪz/ sound words:

Show Answer

teaches, wishes, boxes

Activity 2: Read Aloud

Practice reading these sentences. Pay close attention to the bold "-s" endings. Click 🔊 to hear the sentence.

1. My teacher works with students from many places.
2. She lives in a house with two cats.
3. He washes the dishes after he finishes his lunch.

Key Vocabulary

• Plural | ពហុវចនៈ
  The form of a noun that means more than one (e.g., "cat" becomes "cats" /s/).
• Third-person verb | កិរិយាស័ព្ទបុរសទី៣
  The verb form for he, she, or it in the simple present (e.g., "he walks" /s/).
• Voiceless sound | សំឡេងអឃោសៈ
  A sound made with only air, without vibrating your throat (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /θ/). Words ending in these sounds add /s/.
• Voiced sound | សំឡេងឃោសៈ
  A sound that makes your throat vibrate (e.g., /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /m/, /n/, vowels). Words ending in these sounds add /z/.
• Hissing/Buzzing Sound | សំឡេងហ៊ោ/សំឡេងរោទ៍
  Sounds like /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /tʃ/ (ch), /dʒ/ (j). Words ending in these sounds add /ɪz/.

Your Pronunciation Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to be an "-s" detective! Listen to English being spoken around you, on TV, or in music.

1. Try to identify the sound (/s/, /z/, or /ɪz/) of words ending in "-s" or "-es".
2. Write down one example word you hear for each of the three sounds.
3. Practice saying your examples!