Pronunciation of -ES
(Verbs & Plural Nouns)

Reading & Pronunciation

Usually when an S is added to a verb or noun when making a plural, it simply makes a blended sound with the consonant that comes before it.

However, there are a few cases when -ES will add an extra syllable to the word. This happens after:

s, z, ʧ (ch), ʃ (sh), ʤ (J)

The -ES sounds like /ɪz/

Practice these sounds

You can listen to words with this sound on my Memrise course here. Practice saying the sound in isolation. Consider doing this activity to get used to saying it while speaking.

S

cases

misses

kisses

tenses

faces

chances

sentences

taxes

faxes

mixes

Memrise

Z

gazes

prizes

sizes

quizzes

freezes

pleases

phrases

eases

noises

chooses

Memrise

ʧ (CH)

teaches

inches

catches

matches

watches

touches

coaches

branches

switches

churches

Memrise

ʃ (SH)

dishes

fishes

wishes

smashes

washes

finishes

vanishes

punishes

splashes

crushes

Memrise

ʤ (J)

pages

cages

wages

stages

changes

judges

ranges

messages

passages

enlarges

Memrise