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.

/s/
/∫/
/z/
/t∫/
/d3/

Chris's kisses, the nurse's purses, Max's faxes
Trish's wishes
Rose's roses
The witch's watches
George's fridges

Note: When the -s ending is another syllable, it is pronounced /iz/.

Unit 26; Part C

Important for listening!
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.

noun Jane's nose Nick's weights	verb Jane knows Nick waits
singular My friend spends a lot. Our guest came late.	plural My friends spend a lot. Our guests came late.

Exercises

1 Match the beginnings and ends of the phrases.

Match the beginnings and ends of these phrases so that they rhyme. Then listen and repeat.
Key.1 b 2 c 3 g
4 a 5 d 6 e
7 f
26.4.jpg

2 Write the third person forms of the verbs.

Write the third person forms of the verbs from the box in the correct part of the table below. Then listen, check and repeat.

~~watch~~ ~~sing~~ so get dance kiss come wash see close push pull

1 syllable O	*sings*
2 syllables Oo	*watches*

3 Write the sentence.

These speakers are not pronouncing all the consonants at the ends of some words. What are they saying? Write the sentence.

26.1.jpg

4 Listen and circle the word you hear.

Listen and circle the word you hear.

1   I saw the bird / birds fly away.
2   What time did the guest /guests leave?
3   He broke his arm / arms in the accident.
4   She sang the song / songs her father wrote.
5   Where does she park her car / cars at night?
6   I read the book / books very quickly.
7   The bag / bags fell on the floor.
8   The shop / shops will be closed.
9   When will the class / classes begin?
10 The box / boxes won't be big enough.

Follow up: Recordyourself saying the sentences in 4, choosing singular or plural. Make anote of which one you said. Then listen to your recording in about twoweeks. Is it clear which words you said?

Unit 25 Unit 26 Unit 27