2.9.- Pronunciation of final "s".

How to pronounce the -s / -es in English?

Before we have looked at the spelling changes when making the third person singular, which are the same as the plural of nouns and the possession with 's.

When adding -s or -es the word may have three different sound endings.

• /s/ after voiceless sounds /p/ /t/ /k/ /f/ /θ/

  cups, Pete's friend, puts

• /z/ after voiced sounds /b/ /d/ /g/ /v/ /ð/ /m/ /n/ /ŋ/ /l/ /r/ /w/ /j/ and vowel sounds

  bags, Jane's sisters, plays

• /ιz/ after sibilants /s/ /ʃ/ /tʃ/ /z/ /ʒ/ /dʒ/

  kisses, Alices , washes

Voiced and unvoiced sounds.

As you can see, English has got voiced and unvoiced consonants, the same as in Spanish. Put your fingers on your throat or in your ears and pronounce the sound /p/ several times. Now pronounce the sound /b/. You should notice the vocal chords vibrating when you pronounce the sound.