Mastering the pronunciation of sounds in a language is a key aspect of effective communication.
To learn how to pronounce the final s, we have to understand what voiced and voiceless consonants are.
Voiced consonants are consonant sounds that are made by vibrating the vocal cords. These are the voiced consonants: B, D, G, J, L, M, N, Ng, R, Sz, V, W, Y, Z, and Th ( as in “then”)
Voiceless consonants do not use the vocal cords to produce their hard, percussive sounds. These are the voiceless consonants: Ch, F, K, P, S, Sh, T, and Th (as in “thing”).
Table of Contents
How to Pronounce Words Endings in S
This is a good video that explains how to pronounce words ending in S
Rules: The Pronunciation of the Final S
The final S is pronounced in three different ways. The Final S Pronunciation is based on the final sound of a word, before adding -s.
When a word ends with a Voiceless sound, the final “s” is pronounced as /s/
| P | Cups |
| T | Hats |
| K | Cooks |
| F | Cliffs |
| TH | Myths |
When word ends with a Voiceless sound, the final “s” is pronounced as /Z/
| C | Races |
| S | Pauses |
| X | Fixes |
| Z | Amazes |
| SS | Kisses |
| CH | Churches |
| SH | Dishes |
| GE | Changes |
When word ends with one of these sounds /dʒ/, /s/, /z/,/ʃ/ and /tʃ/ the final “s” is pronounced as /IZ/
| B | Crabs |
| D | Cards |
| G | Rugs |
| L | Calls |
| M | Plums |
| N | Fans |
| NG | Kings |
| R | Wears |
| V | Gloves |
| Y | Plays |
Pronunciation of Final “S” Examples
In these chart, you can see words that fall into the different pronunciation categories
| IZ | Z | S |
| Races | Sleep | Crabs |
| Dishes | Books | Words |
| Changes | Hats | Bags |
| Buses | Cliffs | Deals |
| Boxes | Graphs | Dreams |
| Prizes | Myths | Fans |
| Kisses | Sings | |
| Watches | Wears | |
| Gloves | ||
| Plays |
Pronunciation of the Final “S” Exercises
These are some exercises that can help you learn more about how to pronounce the final “S”
- English Hilfen – Pronunciation of the Final “S”
- Grammar Quizzes – Final “S” Pronunciation
- English Language Centers – Final “S” Pronunciation
Recommendation to Learn the Final -S Pronunciation
Here are three recommendations to help you learn how to pronounce the final “s” sound correctly:
Listen and Imitate:
- Podcasts and Audiobooks: Listen to podcasts or audiobooks narrated by native speakers. Pay close attention to how they pronounce words ending with the “s” sound.
- Music: Songs are another great resource for improving pronunciation. Choose songs with clear lyrics and pay attention to how the singers pronounce words ending in “s.” Singing along can help you practice the rhythm and intonation of the final “s.”
Speech Therapy Apps and Resources:
- Speech Apps: There are several apps designed to improve pronunciation and speech. Look for apps that focus on English pronunciation, specifically the final “s” sound. These apps often provide interactive exercises and feedback to help you refine your pronunciation.
- Online Courses: Explore online platforms that offer courses in English pronunciation Websites like Udemy, Coursera, or platforms dedicated to language learning often have courses that focus on improving specific aspects of pronunciation.
Record Yourself and Seek Feedback:
- Recording Tools: Use your smartphone or computer to record yourself while practicing words and sentences with the final “s” sound. Listen to the recordings and compare them to native speakers. Pay attention to areas where you can improve, such as the pitch, length, and clarity of the “s” sound.
- Feedback from Native Speakers: Share your recordings with native speakers or language exchange partners and ask for feedback. They can provide insights into specific areas that need improvement and offer guidance on how to enhance your pronunciation.
