Accent Reduction: 3 Easy Rules for Pronouncing Final -S (Part 1)
One accent reduction method involves 3 easy rules for pronouncing final -s. Pronouncing “s” or -s otherwise known as final -s in plurals and third person singular verbs is easy when you know the rules. Although “s” is spelled as such, it doesn’t mean it’s pronounced as such. If you aren’t sure what the rules are for pronouncing the “s”, keep reading.
Whether to Pronounce as /s/ or /z/
Knowing whether to pronounce the final -s as /s/ or /z/ can have a great impact on whether someone understands you. It can keep the communication flow moving smoothly. It can result in your communication partners freely exchanging information with you versus running in to barriers and having to stop, think, and try to make sense of what you’ve said. Pronouncing the final -s as /s/ or /z/ is dependent on whether the last phoneme (speech sound) is voiced or voiceless.
When to Pronounce Final “S” as /s/
Pronounce the final -s as /s/ without voicing when the words end in the following voiceless phonemes: /f/, /k/, /p/, /t/, and “th” or /θ/. For example, pronounce the following words that end in “s” as indicated below. Notice that each example illustrates a different grammatical structure including plural -s, possessive proper nouns, and third person singular -s.
- Beliefs (plural noun)
- Nick’s (possessive proper noun)
- Maps (plural noun)
- Eats (third person singular verb)
- Months (plural noun)
When to Pronounce Final “S” as /z/
Pronounce the final -s as /z/ with voicing when the words end in the following voiced phonemes: /b/, /d/, /g/, /m/, /n/, /l/, /r/, voiced “th” or /ð/, /v/, /w/, “y” or /j/, and vowels. For example, pronounce the following words that end in “s” as indicated below. Notice that each example illustrates a different grammatical structure including plural -s, possessive -s, and third person singular -s. However, the difference is that you pronounce the /z/ as /z/.
- Grabs-/græbz/ (third person singular verb)
- Sheds-/ʃɛdz/ (third person singular verb)
- Eggs-/ɛgz/ (plural noun)
- Poems-/poəmz/ (plural noun)
- Pans-/panz/ (plural noun)
- Holes-/holz/ (possessive proper noun)
- Breathes-/briθz/ (third person singular verb)
- Loves-/lʌvz/ (third person singular verb)
- Ways-/wez/ (plural noun)
Summary of Pronouncing Plural -S
The final -s spelling is pronounced differently depending on its preceding phonemes. Final -s is utilized in nouns, verbs, possessive pronouns, plural nouns, possessive proper nouns, and third person singular verbs. The rule for pronouncing the final -s as voiced or voiceless (as /s/ versus /z/) in those grammatical structures are based on whether the preceding phonemes in the word are voiced or voiceless.
The aforementioned stated rules and examples clearly outline the situations in which you pronounce the final -s as voiced or voiceless. Knowing these rules will definitely make a positive impact on your daily communication with others who speak the American English accent. Incorporating these rules into your accent program and practice will leave a lasting effect and will ultimately prove to maximize your confidence with the American English accent.
To you mastering your final -s pronunciation,
Cher
Source: Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker & Lynda Katz-Wilner. Rules for Using Linguistic Elements of Speech. Owings Mills: Successfully Speaking, 2006, 2007, 2nd Edition. Print.
Helpful information. The English language is so confusing, with rules that have a lot of exceptions. Thanks for clarifying.
Thank you for sharing. I believe that many people, like myself, moved to the US as adults so being aware of these details is very helpful.
Very interesting, Cher. As a native English speaker, it’s interesting to read about others learning the language as their second or third language.
Oh that was fun! You gave me such a smile – remembering my time as a theater major in college – and even before that in modeling school. Hahaha. But actually, I find this analysis of sound fascinating. It’s really fun for me. Post more! 🙂
Great article Cher! For people like myself, that English is my second language, there are some rules that are a bit confusing 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I appreciate the specificity of your article. For those seeking support and understanding concerning “s” this provides clarity and a logical means of knowing what to utilize. Very informative. I learn something new after each blog post – thank you!
Thank you for another informative post, Cher! ~ You’re taking me back to my college days when I studied speech pathology. As a gal with a “southern American accent” – there were certain courses I had to take for my career as a broadcast journalist. They weren’t as open to the more regional dialects back then. There was a “standard” broadcasting dialect that we all worked toward. 🙂
Cher – It’s important to be open to learning how to be positive in our communication with others. You provide the expertise to master this! Thank you!
Teena
http://www.coupletherapyconnection.com
Teena,
Yes, being open and positive while communicating creates faster connection between people 🙂 You’re welcome.
Cher
Dorothy,
Wow! So you have studied and implemented accent modification! 🙂 Do you feel your “standard” broadcasting dialect carried over into your current speech?
Cher
Veronica,
My University training (both instructional and clinical) has specified that analysis, preparation, and clarity of goals for clients and students is critical in their progress. I carry this into my articles of course so my students can apply and readily integrate the knowledge 🙂
Cher
Patricia,
You’re very welcome. I hope this article clarified some of the rules for which you struggled with. Of course, there are many more articles addressing numerous rules in our other articles. If you don’t’ mind my asking, at what age did you start speaking English?
Cher
Dorothy, you’re hungry for knowledge 🙂 I love it! You have such a varied background too. There will be more for you… 🙂
Cher
Bonnie,
Learning about others learning English as a foreign language also helps the native English speakers develop compassion for non-native English speakers in how much learning there is to be done for effective speaking. Sometimes native speakers get frustrated and impatient with non-native English speakers and this knowledge can abate that 🙂
Cher
Mateja,
Yes, many people think it’s too late for adults to learn new sets of speaking behaviors yet the truth is that with these systematic rules, learning is very possible and effective in connecting people on a deeper level 🙂
Cher
Kailean,
As you indicate, English is a complex language, more-so than many other languages. Learning about others learning English as a foreign language also helps the native English speakers develop compassion for non-native English speakers in how much learning there is to be done for effective speaking. Sometimes native speakers get frustrated and impatient with non-native English speakers and this knowledge can abate that 🙂
Cher
I wondered about the “s” for example on eggs and thought why not just put a “z” there. Well the “s” is plural, the English Language I heard is one of the hardest languages to learn.
Pam, you are right. English is a complex language in and of its own grammar structure, let alone add in the pronunciation complexity. The phonemic symbol for the “s” in “eggs” looks like a “z”. 🙂
Make it a great day,
Cher
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