The Three Possible Pronunciations

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 75 views

Understanding the -es Ending in English

In English, the -es ending is used to form the third person singular present tense of verbs. This ending is added to the base form of the verb, and it is pronounced differently depending on the sound that comes before it. In this article, we will focus on the pronunciation of the -es ending in the verb "comes" as used in the sentence: "Mary (comes) to my house on Saturdays."

The Three Possible Pronunciations

There are three possible pronunciations for the -es ending in English: /s/, /iz/, and /z/. To determine which pronunciation is used in the verb "comes," we need to look at the sound that comes before the -es ending.

A. /s/ - cats

The /s/ pronunciation is used when the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiceless alveolar fricative, as in the word "cats." This pronunciation is also used in words like "dogs," "hogs," and "logs."

B. /iz/ - pages

The /iz/ pronunciation is used when the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative, as in the word "pages." This pronunciation is also used in words like "houses," "mice," and "lice."

C. /z/ - dogs

The /z/ pronunciation is used when the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative, as in the word "dogs." This pronunciation is also used in words like "hogs," "logs," and "frogs."

The Pronunciation of the -es Ending in "comes"

Now that we have looked at the three possible pronunciations, let's focus on the verb "comes." The sound that comes before the -es ending in "comes" is a voiced alveolar fricative, which is the same sound as in the word "dogs." Therefore, the pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes" is /z/.

Why the /z/ Pronunciation is Used in "comes"

The /z/ pronunciation is used in "comes" because the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative. This sound is a result of the combination of the consonant "m" and the vowel "o" in the word "comes." The "m" sound is a voiced bilabial nasal, and when it is combined with the "o" sound, it creates a voiced alveolar fricative.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pronunciation of the -es ending in the verb "comes" is /z/. This pronunciation is used because the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative. The /z/ pronunciation is also used in words like "dogs," "hogs," and "logs." Understanding the pronunciation of the -es ending in English is important for accurate pronunciation and communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes"?

A: The pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes" is /z/.

Q: Why is the /z/ pronunciation used in "comes"?

A: The /z/ pronunciation is used in "comes" because the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative.

Q: What are some other words that use the /z/ pronunciation?

A: Some other words that use the /z/ pronunciation include "dogs," "hogs," and "logs."

Additional Resources

For more information on the pronunciation of the -es ending in English, please see the following resources:

[1] "English Pronunciation" by Cambridge University Press
[2] "The Sounds of English" by John Wells
[3] "English Phonetics and Phonology" by Peter Ladefoged and Ian Maddieson

References

[1] Cambridge University Press. (2019). English Pronunciation. Cambridge University Press.

[2] Wells, J. (2008). The Sounds of English. Cambridge University Press.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes"?

A: The pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes" is /z/.

Q: Why is the /z/ pronunciation used in "comes"?

A: The /z/ pronunciation is used in "comes" because the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative.

Q: What are some other words that use the /z/ pronunciation?

A: Some other words that use the /z/ pronunciation include "dogs," "hogs," and "logs."

Q: How do I know which pronunciation to use for the -es ending?

A: To determine which pronunciation to use for the -es ending, you need to look at the sound that comes before the -es ending. If the sound is a voiceless alveolar fricative, use the /s/ pronunciation. If the sound is a voiced alveolar fricative, use the /z/ pronunciation.

Q: What is the difference between the /s/ and /z/ pronunciations?

A: The /s/ pronunciation is used when the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiceless alveolar fricative, while the /z/ pronunciation is used when the sound is a voiced alveolar fricative.

Q: Can I use the /iz/ pronunciation for the -es ending?

A: No, the /iz/ pronunciation is not typically used for the -es ending. It is used for words that end in -ize, such as "organize" and "realize."

Q: How do I practice the /z/ pronunciation?

A: To practice the /z/ pronunciation, try saying words like "dogs," "hogs," and "logs" with a /z/ sound at the end. You can also practice with a mirror or record yourself to check your pronunciation.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when pronouncing the -es ending?

A: Some common mistakes people make when pronouncing the -es ending include using the /s/ pronunciation when the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative, and using the /z/ pronunciation when the sound is a voiceless alveolar fricative.

Q: How can I improve my pronunciation of the -es ending?

A: To improve your pronunciation of the -es ending, practice regularly with words that use the /z/ pronunciation, such as "dogs," "hogs," and "logs." You can also listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation.

Additional Tips

Pay attention to the sound that comes before the -es ending when pronouncing words.
Practice regularly to improve your pronunciation of the -es ending.
Listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation.
Use a mirror or record yourself to check your pronunciation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pronunciation of the -es ending in "comes" is /z/. This pronunciation is used because the sound that comes before the -es ending is a voiced alveolar fricative. By understanding the pronunciation of the -es ending and practicing regularly, you can improve your pronunciation and communicate more effectively.