1. The -s plural ending is pronounced like /z/
after voiced sounds
. This means that if the ending of the noun is voiced – if you can feel your larynx vibrate at the end of the noun you pronounce – it has the /z/ sound. Some examples are: dads, moms, boys, girls, rooms, dogs, schools, days, years, lives.
Why does S sound like Z?
When the letter ‘s’ is after a vowel, another ‘s’, or a voiced consonant, it is pronounced as a /z/ sound. … The third reason means
you have to practice saying the 2 consonants together so you don’t leave the /s/
and /z/ out because your mouth isn’t used to moving this way. This takes time and practice.
What are the three rules to follow when S turns to Z?
Say “Z when the word ends in a vowel or other voiced sound like the m, n, ng, l, b, d, g, v, voiced th, or r sound. Say “
S when the word ends in a voiceless sound like a p, t, k, f, or voiceless th sound
.
What are S and Z sounds called?
The s sound, z sound, sh sound, and zh sound sounds are all
fricatives
, which means we produce the sound by closing the vocal tract enough that friction, and sound, is created when we push the air out our mouth. Fricatives are continuous consonants, which means that the sound is smooth.
How do you know if s sounds like Z?
If the last letter of the words ends in a voiced consonant (or sound)
, then the S is pronounced like a Z /z/(without creating another syllable). This Z sound is similar to the sound a bee makes zzzz. We also use this ending when the word ends in a vowel sound (e.g. bees, flies etc.)
Can I use Z instead of S?
4 Answers. The use of z instead of s is
colloquial and informal
. Whether or not you want to use this form is up to you, but I think it depends very much on what kind of website you want: is it a personal or business website?
Which is British S or Z?
Some words in English use “
s” where “z”
is used in American English. However, usage of the “z” can also be occasionally seen in British English, in words such as “citizen”.
Where does your tongue go when you say s?
To make the /s/ sound:
To make /s/,
place the tip of your tongue lightly against the ridge behind your upper teeth
(but do not touch the teeth). As you push air out of your mouth, squeeze the air between the tip of your tongue and the top of your mouth.
Is Z voiced or voiceless?
As you pronounce a letter, feel the vibration of your vocal cords. If you feel a vibration the consonant is a
voiced one
. These are the voiced consonants: B, D, G, J, L, M, N, Ng, R, Sz, Th (as in the word “then”), V, W, Y, and Z.
What is the difference between S and TS?
So what is the difference between the S and the TS?
A stop, the T stop
. So, to make the S, the tip of the tongue is forward, here, ss, lightly touching behind the bottom front teeth. Corners of the lips will be pulled a little wide, teeth are closed, and the lips are parted, letting out the sound.
How do you pluralize a word ending in s?
The -s plural ending is
pronounced like /z/ after voiced sounds
. This means that if the ending of the noun is voiced – if you can feel your larynx vibrate at the end of the noun you pronounce – it has the /z/ sound. Some examples are: dads, moms, boys, girls, rooms, dogs, schools, days, years, lives.
Which word has the z sound?
Z also usually maintains the /z/ pronunciation if it is doubled in the middle of a word, as in:
blizzard
(/ˈblɪzərd/) dazzle (/ˈdæzəl/) fuzzy (/ˈfʌzi/)
What are the 2 sounds of S?
The letter S can present some difficulties for pronunciation because of the variety of sounds it can make. Most often, it produces two distinct consonant sounds:
/s/ and /z/
. In some specific instances, S can also form the sounds /ʃ/ (as in sure) or /ʒ/ (as in usual).
