s? z?

[Eway]

In plural form, sometimes the end of the word is pronounced as "s" and sometimes "z".
Is there a certain rule to follow?
For example,
in "the crusades",
should it be "-dis", "-diz", "-ds" or "-dz"?

[Casiopea]

In plural form, sometimes the end of the word is pronounced as "s" and sometimes "z".
Is there a certain rule to follow?
For example,
in "the crusades",
should it be "-dis", "-diz", "-ds" or "-dz"?

:) Rule :)

After voiced sounds (b,d,g,n,m,l) the letter <s> is pronounced [z]:

tabs = tab[z]
dads = dad[z]
dogs = dog[z]
buns = bun[z]
hams = ham[z]
halls = hall[z]

After voiceless sound (p,t,k), the letter <s> is pronounced [s]:

taps = tap[s]
hats = hat[s]
racks = rack[s]

After the sounds s,z,sh,j the letters <es> are pronounced [Iz], as in "his":

glasses = glass[Iz]
buzzes = buzz[Iz]
dishes = dish[Iz]
garages = gara[jIz] *note, 'g' is pronounced [j]
badges = bad[jIz] *note, 'g' is pronounced [j]

All the best,

[Eway]

That's very clear.
Thanks a lot! :D

[Eway]

Ah, wait a minute...
In my book, the phonetic symbol for the "s" in "forelimbs" is "s" instead of "z".
Is this a different case from "hams"?
Or my book got it wrong?

[Casiopea]

Ah, wait a minute...
In my book, the phonetic symbol for the "s" in "forelimbs" is "s" instead of "z".
Is this a different case from "hams"?
Or my book got it wrong?

forelimbs = forelimb[z]
hams = ham[z]

Your book has a typographical error. It should be [z], not [s].

All the best,

[Eway]

Just two more questions on this topic...

1.In my book, again, it says the "s" in "casinos" is pronounced "s"...
But, shouldn't "o" be a voiced sound and "s" here pronounced "z"?

2.Would you say "closets" and "clothes" rhyme with each other as they are pronounced "s" and "z"?

[rj76]

1. Casinos is pronounced with a "z."

2. I will tell you that they don't rhyme, but I'm not sure how to explain it so I'll leave that to someone else. :)

[Casiopea]

Just two more questions on this topic...

1.In my book, again, it says the "s" in "casinos" is pronounced "s"...
But, shouldn't "o" be a voiced sound and "s" here pronounced "z"?

2.Would you say "closets" and "clothes" rhyme with each other as they are pronounced "s" and "z"?

1. The first <s> is pronounced [s] and the second <s> is pronounced [z]:
casinos => [kaesinoz]

2. The <o> in 'closets' is pronounced [a] (i.e. cl[a]sets]) and the <o> in 'clothes' is pronounced [o] (i.e. cl[o]thes):

closets => cl[a][z]et[s], clothes => cl[o]the[z] (The 'e' is silent)

:)

[Eway]

Err...hmm...thank you for the reply.
But do [s] and [z] rhyme with each oterh? :(

[Casiopea]

Err...hmm...thank you for the reply.
But do [s] and [z] rhyme with each oterh? :(

[z] and [s] do not rhyme with each other.

All the best,