Tools for Clear Speech

Listen to the following three words. Do you notice any differences in the sound of the final -s?

If you listened carefully, you may have noticed that each word has a different final -s sound. That’s because in English, there are three different ways to pronounce the final -s sound.

Practice 1

Listen to the following sets of words and see if you can identify what the final sound is for each set. Then try to find a rule that explains how the final -s sound is pronounced for each set:

1. Group 1

   thinks
   it’s
   ships
   laughs
   appreciates

   Click here to see the rule
   If a word ends in a voiceless sound, then the -s ending will sound like /s/. Make sure that your vocal cords are not vibrating by placing your hands on your throat. You shouldn’t feel any vibration when you pronounce /s/.

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2. Group 2

   phones
   explains
   Carla’s
   exams
   theirs

   Click here to see the rule
   If a word ends in a voiced sound, then the -s ending will sound like /z/. Make sure that your vocal cords are vibrating by placing your hands on your throat. You should feel vibration when you pronounce /z/.

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3. Group 3

   catches
   Chris’s
   ages
   analyzes
   washes

   Click here to see the rule
   If a word ends in a hissing or buzzing sounds /s/, /z/, /t͡ʃ/, /d͡ʒ/, /ʃ/, or /ʒ/, then the -s ending will sound like /əz/. Note that this is the only -s ending that adds an extra syllable.

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Practice 2

For the -s endings to be intelligible, it is most important to know when to add an extra syllable. Look at the following words. Which ones should add an extra syllable due to the -s ending? If you need help, listen to the word.

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