/s/, /z/, and /ɪz/
/S/ sound
Used after voiceless sounds (quiet consonants).
If the word ends with:
- /p/
- /t/
- /k/
- /f/
- /θ/ (think)
Then the plural ends with /s/.Examples:
cups → /kʌps/
cats → /kæts/
books → /bʊks/
cliffs → /klɪfs/
months → /mʌnθs/
/z/ sound
Used after voiced sounds (sounds your throat vibrates).
If the word ends with:
vowels (a, e, i, o, u sounds)
voiced consonants: b, d, g, v, ð, m, n, ŋ, l, r, vowels
Then the plural ends with /z/.
Examples:
dogs → /dɔːgz/
bags → /bægz/
cars → /kɑːrz/
beds → /bedz/
rooms → /ruːmz/
/ɪz/ sound
Used after hissing / buzzing sounds (sibilants).
If the word ends with:
- s / z
- sh
- ch
- x
- ge / j
Then the plural ends with /ɪz/.
Examples:
boxes → /bɒksɪz/
buses → /bʌsɪz/
roses → /rəʊzɪz/
dishes → /dɪʃɪz/
watches → /wɒtʃɪz/
Voiceless ending → /s/
Voiced ending → /z/
S / Z / SH / CH / X / J → /ɪz/