voiced s

Core Rule

The voiced s occurs when the letter s is pronounced /z/ due to voicing assimilation. When s appears between voiced sounds or follows a voiced consonant at word endings, the vocal cords vibrate, producing /z/ instead of /s/.

Articulation Guide

Place the tongue near the alveolar ridge, just like /s/. The key difference is vocal cord vibration. Airflow is continuous, with slightly softer friction than the voiceless /s/.

Word Analysis

• rose /roʊz/: vowel–s–vowel environment.
• music /ˈmjuːzɪk/: s between two vowels.
• dogs /dɔɡz/: plural -s after a voiced consonant.

Pitfalls

Do not rely on spelling alone. Always check the voicing of surrounding sounds, not the letter form.