PLURAL
ENDINGS
Non-native speakers
frequently have difficulty mastering American English plural nouns. Some languages do not have plural forms of
nouns. Other languages have plural
nouns, but they do not involve adding consonant sounds at the end of the
words.
So, one key problem
non-native speakers have is to learn to pronounce the ending sound of plural
words.
Common problems:
Not pronouncing the ending sound, so "cars" sounds like
"car." Using an S instead of a Z, so "cars" sounds like
"carS." Using an extra
syllable when a sound is enough, so "books" sound like
"book-is."
coats winter
hats and coats
dates the dates
of those trips
doors opened
doors and windows
programs several bugs in
the programs
faxes sent faxes
to offices
lunches lunches at
conferences
Some passengers on
the flights carried bags and suitcases.
All kinds of data
are on the charts, tables, and graphs.
Rules of
pronunciation for regular plurals:
1.
Use the S sound to pronounce the plural when a word ends in one of these
(unvoiced) sounds: P, F, K, T, TH.
Examples: rope--ropes(S),
wreck--wrecks(S), bat--bat(S)
2.
Use the Z sound to pronounce the plural when a word ends in one of these
(voiced) sounds: B, M, N, L, D, NG, G,
R, V, THH and all vowel sounds.
Examples: tub--tubs(Z), rim--rims(Z), can--cans(Z)
3.
Use the syllable IZ sound to pronounce the plural of a word that ends
with one of these sounds: S, Z, SH, ZH, CH, J.
Examples: bus--buses(IZ),
wish--wishes(IZ), watch--watches(IZ)