Pronunciation of words ending in –S and –ED

Rules for the correct pronunciationof the –s ending

The sounds /s/ /z/ or /ɪz / (plural nounsand third person singular -s)

Rule 1 If a word ends with the sounds /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/,/ʒ/, or /dʒ/ the final -s is pronounced /ɪz/.

Rule 2 If a word ends with any other voicelessconsonant sound (/p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, or /θ/), thefinal -s is pronounced /s/.

Rule 3 • If a word ends with any other voiced consonantsound (/b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /d/, /l/, /r/, /m/, /n/, or/ŋ/), or a vowel sound, the final -s is pronounced /z/.

Rules for the correct pronunciationof the –s ending

Exercise 1:How are these verbs pronounced?

reaches /ɪz/ Hopes /s/

Watches /ɪz/ Fixes /ɪz/

Remembers /z/ Kisses /ɪz/

rises /ɪz/ Expects /s/

Tries /ɪz/ Drives /z/

Wishes /ɪz/ Works /s/

Rules for the correct pronunciationof the –s ending

Exercice 2 :Pronunciation in [z] and [s]

All vowels (plays, sees, goes)

[p] (stops) [s] [k] (talks) [s]

[g] (dogs) /z/ [l] (calls) /z/

[m] (rams) /z/ [n] (learns) /z/

[r] (blurs) /z/ [g] (bangs) /z/

[v] (receives) /z/ [b] (robs) /z/

[r] (measures) /z/ [g] (hangs) /z/

Rules for the correct pronunciationof the –ED ending

The sounds /d/ /t/ or /ɪd / (Regular Verbs -ed endings)

Rule 1 If a word ends with the sounds /t/, or /d/ the final -ed is pronounced /ɪd/.

Rule 2 If a word ends with any other voicelessconsonant sound (/s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/,/p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, or /θ/), thefinal -s is pronounced /t/.

Rule 3 • If a word ends with any other voiced consonantsound (/z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/, /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /d/, /l/, /r/, /m/, /n/, or/ŋ/), or a vowel sound, the final -ed is pronounced /d/.

Pronunciation of word ending in ed

• When an infinitive verb finishes with the sound [T] or [D] then, we have to add the syllable of the past participle [ID]

Wanted[ID], regarded[ID], calculated[ID], added[ID]

Pronunciation of word ending in ed 

• When the last sound of the word vibrates in vocal cord, we have to pronounce the « ed » like a sound [d]

Ruled[D], died[D], fined[D], arranged[D]

Pronunciation of word ending in ed

• When the last sound of the word doesn’t vibrate in vocale cord, then it is pronounced [T]

Hoped[T], hacked[T],focused[T], wished[T]

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