IELTS pronunciation · Word endings

-s and -es endings: /s/, /z/ and /ɪz/

The grammatical endings '-s' and '-es' are pronounced in three distinct ways, /s/, /z/, or /ɪz/, depending on the final sound of the base word. Mastering these endings ensures your speech sounds natural and helps the examiner clearly register your grammatical inflections.
  • 12 practice lines
  • 8 minimal pairs
  • Word endings
  • Free to read
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Technique

How to say it

  1. 1

    Pronounce an unvoiced /s/ after voiceless consonant sounds such as /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, and /θ/.

  2. 2

    Pronounce a voiced /z/ after voiced consonant sounds and all vowel sounds, allowing your vocal cords to vibrate.

  3. 3

    Add an extra syllable with /ɪz/ after sibilant sounds such as /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /ʒ/, and /dʒ/.

  4. 4

    Touch your throat while practising to feel vibration on /z/ and /ɪz/, but none on /s/.

8 pairs

Minimal pairs

Say each pair aloud. If the two words sound the same when you record yourself, slow down and go back to the steps above.

  • caps /s//cabs /z/
  • hats /s//hands /z/
  • parks /s//pubs /z/
  • cliffs /s//caves /z/
  • matches /ɪz//mats /s/
  • places /ɪz//plates /s/
  • races /ɪz//rays /z/
  • closes (verb) /ɪz//clothes /z/

12 sentences

Practice lines from IELTS-style answers

  1. 1

    My brother always cooks delicious meals for his flatmates on weekends.

    cooks /s/, meals /z/, flatmates /s/, weekends /z/

  2. 2

    She manages several branches across different towns and teaches evening classes.

    manages /ɪz/, branches /ɪz/, towns /z/, teaches /ɪz/, classes /ɪz/

  3. 3

    Public transport prices rose sharply, so many commuters take bikes instead.

    prices /ɪz/, commuters /z/, bikes /s/

  4. 4

    He visits local art galleries and watches foreign films in his spare time.

    visits /s/, galleries /z/, watches /ɪz/, films /z/

  5. 5

    My course combines weekly lectures, group discussions, and independent lab tests.

    combines /z/, lectures /z/, discussions /z/, tests /s/

  6. 6

    Modern smartphones offer advanced features, but battery life decreases quickly.

    smartphones /z/, features /z/, decreases /ɪz/

  7. 7

    Our local council organises recycling schemes and cleans public parks daily.

    organises /ɪz/, schemes /z/, cleans /z/, parks /s/

  8. 8

    She relaxes by painting landscapes and reading historical novels in the evenings.

    relaxes /ɪz/, landscapes /s/, novels /z/, evenings /z/

  9. 9

    Heavy rains caused major delays across multiple rail routes this morning.

    rains /z/, delays /z/, routes /s/

  10. 10

    A good leader encourages teamwork, listens carefully, and praises genuine efforts.

    encourages /ɪz/, listens /z/, praises /ɪz/, efforts /s/

  11. 11

    Traditional markets sell fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and homemade cheeses.

    markets /s/, fruits /s/, vegetables /z/, spices /ɪz/, cheeses /ɪz/

  12. 12

    He changes trains twice every day because he lives outside the city.

    changes /ɪz/, trains /z/, lives /z/

Say it in a real answer

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Watch out

Common mistakes

  • →Adding an unnecessary extra syllable by pronouncing non-sibilant endings like 'likes' or 'helps' with /ɪz/.
  • →Dropping the extra syllable entirely on words ending in sibilants, turning 'places' into 'place' or 'watches' into 'watch'.
  • →Over-aspirating a harsh /s/ sound on every plural or verb ending instead of using the softer, voiced /z/ sound where required.

In the exam: Pay close attention to third-person singular verbs in Part 1, as delivering accurate /s/, /z/, and /ɪz/ endings instantly demonstrates strong grammatical and phonological control.

Frequently asked questions

How much does pronunciation count in IELTS Speaking?+

A quarter of your Speaking band. Examiners judge how easy you are to understand and how well you use features like stress, rhythm and intonation, not whether you sound British or American.

Do I need a native accent for Band 8?+

No. An accent is fine at every band. What matters is that individual sounds are clear, stress falls on the right syllables and your intonation helps the listener follow you.

How should I practise these lines?+

Read each line slowly, then at natural speed, then record yourself and compare. Say the sentences in a real answer next, because examiners hear your pronunciation while you think, not while you read.

Keep practising

More word endings practice

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