plural s voiced

Core Rule

Voiced plural -s means the plural or third-person -s/-es is pronounced /z/ when the preceding sound is voiced (a vowel or voiced consonant). This maintains smooth phonetic linkage, as in greetings.

Articulation Guide

Place the tongue near the alveolar ridge without full closure. Vibrate the vocal cords and let the airflow pass continuously. Keep the mouth relaxed; avoid aspiration.

Word Analysis

• greetings /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/: the final /ŋ/ is voiced, so -s becomes /z/.
• Elise’s /ɪˈliːzɪz/: possessive ’s after a voiced sound triggers /z/ as the core voicing.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not devoice /z/ into /s/. Remember -es is not always /ɪz/; it becomes /ɪz/ only after /s z ʃ ʒ tʃ dʒ/.