Plural -S Endings: /s/, /z/, /ɪz/

Pronounce plural -s correctly based on the final sound: /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/.

beginner

When to Use

•When you add -s/-es for plural nouns (cats, dogs, watches).
•When you want your speech to be easier to understand, especially with final consonants.
•When spelling suggests -es but pronunciation rules still depend on the final sound.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

After a voiceless sound (p, t, k, f, θ) → /s/. After a voiced sound (b, d, g, v, ð, m, n, ŋ, l, r, vowels) → /z/.

Negative (-)

Do not pronounce an extra syllable unless the word ends in a sibilant sound.

Question (?)

Does the base word end in a sibilant sound (s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ)? If yes, add /ɪz/.

💡 The spelling can be -s or -es, but pronunciation depends on the final SOUND, not the final letter. British vs US note: these plural endings (/s/, /z/, /ɪz/) work the same in both varieties; differences you may hear usually come from the base word’s vowel/consonant pronunciation, not the plural rule.

Examples

✓cats = /kæts/ (ends with /t/ → /s/)

✗cats = /kætz/

After voiceless /t/, the ending is voiceless /s/.

✓dogs = /dɒɡz/ (ends with /ɡ/ → /z/)

✗dogs = /dɒɡs/

After voiced /ɡ/, the ending is voiced /z/.

✓watches = /ˈwɒtʃɪz/ (ends with /tʃ/ → /ɪz/)

✗watches = /ˈwɒtʃs/

Sibilant endings require an extra syllable /ɪz/.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Touch your throat: if it vibrates on the final sound, it is voiced → /z/.
• Group practice words by ending sound: /t/ cats, /g/ dogs, /tʃ/ watches.
• Say the singular first, then add the plural ending smoothly.

past-ed-endings connected-speech-linking

Plural -S Endings: /s/, /z/, /ɪz/

Pronounce plural -s correctly based on the final sound: /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/.

beginner

When to Use

•When you add -s/-es for plural nouns (cats, dogs, watches).
•When you want your speech to be easier to understand, especially with final consonants.
•When spelling suggests -es but pronunciation rules still depend on the final sound.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

After a voiceless sound (p, t, k, f, θ) → /s/. After a voiced sound (b, d, g, v, ð, m, n, ŋ, l, r, vowels) → /z/.

Negative (-)

Do not pronounce an extra syllable unless the word ends in a sibilant sound.

Question (?)

Does the base word end in a sibilant sound (s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ)? If yes, add /ɪz/.

Examples

✓cats = /kæts/ (ends with /t/ → /s/)

✗cats = /kætz/

After voiceless /t/, the ending is voiceless /s/.

✓dogs = /dɒɡz/ (ends with /ɡ/ → /z/)

✗dogs = /dɒɡs/

After voiced /ɡ/, the ending is voiced /z/.

✓watches = /ˈwɒtʃɪz/ (ends with /tʃ/ → /ɪz/)

✗watches = /ˈwɒtʃs/

Sibilant endings require an extra syllable /ɪz/.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Touch your throat: if it vibrates on the final sound, it is voiced → /z/.
• Group practice words by ending sound: /t/ cats, /g/ dogs, /tʃ/ watches.
• Say the singular first, then add the plural ending smoothly.

past-ed-endings connected-speech-linking

Plural -S Endings: /s/, /z/, /ɪz/

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Plural -S Endings: /s/, /z/, /ɪz/

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Pronouncing every plural as /s/

✗Adding /ɪz/ to all plurals

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Pronouncing every plural as /s/

✗Adding /ɪz/ to all plurals

💡 Practice Tips

Related