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In The chart shows information, should I pronounce [s] or [z] at the end of shows?

Void
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Xin
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    Possible duplicate: [Why are there three pronunciations for the plural "-s"?](https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/268677/why-are-there-three-pronunciations-for-the-plural-s) – Void Jan 13 '21 at 19:21

1 Answers1

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The rule for the pronunciation of third person S is as follows:

  • If the word ends in a sibilant /s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/, then add /ɪz/

If the word ends with a different sound, then:

  • If the last sound in the base is voiced, add /z/
  • If the last sound in the base word is voiceless, add /s/

The word show ends in a vowel sound. Vowel sounds in English are voiced, so we need to add /z/ here: /ʃəʊz/.

Araucaria - Not here any more.
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  • Any chance you could add some examples for those of us unfamiliar with the notation and terminology? Thanks. – fixer1234 Feb 27 '17 at 21:18
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    @fixer1234 I'll try to tomorrow, if I get time. Until then [this post on voiced and voiceless sounds might be helpful, ... I hope!](http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/285682/detecting-vibration-in-voiced-and-voiceless-english-sounds/285773#285773) – Araucaria - Not here any more. Feb 27 '17 at 21:33