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

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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

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

Unit 26; Part C

 
idea.jpgImportant 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

flag.jpgMatch 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

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flag.jpgWrite the third person forms of the verbs from the box in the correct part of the table below. Then listen, check and repeat.
Key. 1 syllable: sings; goes; gets; comes; sees; pulls
2
syllables watches; dances; kisses; washes; closes; pushes

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


1 syllable O
sings
2 syllables Oo   
watches                                                        
flag.jpgThese speakers are not pronouncing all the consonants at the ends of some words. What are they saying? Write the sentence.
Key. 1    Hands up!
2    There are many different kinds of whale.
3    My favourite subject's chemistry.
4    The wind's very strong today.

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galka.jpgListen and circle the word you hear.
Key.1. bird
2. guests
3. arms
4. song
5. car
6. books
7. bag
8. shop
9. class
10.boxes

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?


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