Unit 26. Paul's Calls, Max's Faxes.

Syllables: Plural and Other -s endings
Unit 26; Part A
The noun call /ko:l/ is one syllable and the plural calls /кo:lz/ is also only one syllable. Usually the -s ending is jusr a consonant sound (C), not another syllable. It is pronounced /s/ or /z/. When we add -s to make the third person singular present, it is the same. For example, the verb know /n∂υ/ is one syllable and the third person form knows /n∂υz/ is also only one syllable. When we add -'s to make the possessive it is also the same. For example Paul and Paul's are both just one syllable. | |
Listen to the examples of -s endings in these rhymes. Claire's chairs. Bob's jobs. Di's pies. Rose knows, Pat's hats. |
Unit 26; Part B
Sometimes, plural, third person and possessive endings are another syllable. For example, fax /fæks/ is one syllable, but faxes /fæksiz/ is two syllables. | |||
The plural and other endings are another syllable when the originalword ends in one of the sounds below. Listen to the examples and rhymes.
![]() Note: When the -s ending is another syllable, it is pronounced /iz/. |
Unit 26; Part C
![]() With -s endings, we sometimes get a lot of consonant sounds together at the end of syllables, for example, facts /fækts/. Many speakers of English make it simpler and do not pronounce one of the Cs. For example, they may pronounce facts like fax /fæks/. Here are some more examples. She never sends birthday cards. (sounds like: She never /senz/ birthday cards) The lift's broken. (sounds like: The /lifs/ broken) It tastes funny. (sounds like: It /teis/ funny) That's what he expects. (sound like: That's what he /ik'speks/) |
Unit 26; Part D
Try to make sure you pronounce the -s ending. It is very important to the meaning. Listen to the examples and notice how the -s ending changes the meaning.
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Exercises
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