PRONUNCIATION OF THE -(E)S ENDING

 

The rules for the pronunciation of the -(e)s ending are the same for:

·        Plurals : books

·        3rd person singular of verbs in the present simple : he plays

·        the Saxon Genitive: Kenīs

 

voiced = sonora

voiceless= sorda.

 

It has three different pronunciations:

 

/s/ when the preceding sound is voiceless

 

 stops            waits                        books           

/z/ when the preceding sound is voiced

 

plays               cars                  Kenīs

/iz/ when the preceding sound is sibilant

 

 

watches                     kisses           washes

 

Now listen and repeat. ClicK here

 

/z/ He lives in London
       He wears a tracksuit.

 

/s/  He eats very fast
       He walks a lot
       He makes films

 

/iz/ He never watches TV
       He relaxes after lunch
       He practises his lines

 

 EXERCISES