3.10.1: Present Tense, 3rd Person Singular Verbs- Final "S" Sounds in English

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Don Bissonnette
South Seattle Community College

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Present Tense, 3rd Person Singular Verbs: Final "S" Sounds in English

1. "S" sounds like s after the voiceless sounds: f, k, t, p, and th ( ).

       blocks                  beats                    floats                   tapes
       sits                 stops                    puffs                    mops
       kicks                    cuts                     coughs    sips
       naps                  rocks eats                   pets

1. The tree blocks the sun light from my garden.

2. The big boy eats steaks and chops all the time.

3. He sips when he drinks Cokes.

2. "S" sounds like z after voiced sounds. (Voiced sounds are made by vibrating the throat, mouth or nose.) Actually, "S" usually sounds like z in English.

       stabs                    bleeds                  swings                 stays
       yells sings   opens                   buys
       pays                     throws                 tugs                 loads
       robs                  weds                    enjoys                  ends

1. The boy yells at his brothers before he goes to bed.

2. His mother stays home and sings all day long.

3. She enjoys herself when she buys toys for her kids.

3. "S" sounds like iz after the following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, ge, dge, and x.

       closes                  taxes                    brushes                rages
       raises                   dresses                boxes                   patches
       ages                     dashes                 waxes                  places
       rushes                  matches           pitches                 edges

1. The government raises taxes for people of all ages.

2. She dresses quickly, rushes out the door, and catches the bus.

3. The man places the boxes on the tables and closes the lids on them.