This document provides a summary of how to pronounce the third person simple present verb endings in English. It notes that verbs ending in unvoiced sounds like /f/, /k/, and /p/ take an "s" pronunciation. Verbs ending in voiced sounds like /b/, /d/, and /g/ take a "z" sound. Verbs ending in sounds like /ce/, /s/, and /x/ take an "iz" sound. It includes examples like "coughs", "rubs", and "watches" and provides a practice section to reinforce the rules.

1. Lunch & Learn
Pronouncing 3rd person
simple present verbs

2.  Lets say the following 3 sentences
out loud.
 Focus on the last sound of the
underlined word.
 What do you notice?
Question

3.  She walks to school everyday.
Examples
 He watches TV three times a week.
 The little boy runs in the park on
Sunday.

4. Did you notice the three sounds?
/s/
/z/
/iz/
 She walks to school everyday.
 The little boy runs in the park on
Sunday.
 He watches TV three times a wee

5. Note: the sound we
use depends on the
last sound of the
verb.

6. Verbs that end in the following
sounds will have an unvoiced
“s” sound when you add the s.
Coughs /f/
Attacks /k/
Stops /p/
Waits /t/
baths /θ/

7. Verbs that end in the following
sounds will have a voiced “z”
sound when you add the s.
/b/ rubs /ng/ sings
/d/ rides /r/ offers
/g/ begs /v/ drives
/l/ sails
Vowel sounds
/m/ dreams
/n/ runs plays
Goes
abounds

8. Verbs that end in the following
sounds will have a“iz” sound
when you add the s.
/ce/ races /ss/ kisses
/s/ buses /ch/ watches
/x/ boxes /sh/ washes
/z/ prizes /ge/ changes
Note the extra syllable

9. Summary
These sounds endings
produce an “s” sound
Voiced sounds endings
produce a “z” sound
These sounds endings
produce the “iz” sound
Coughs Rubs= /b/ /ce/=races
Attacks Rides= /d/ /s/=buses
Stops Begs= /g/ /x/=boxes
Waits sails= /l/ /z/=prizes
baths Dreams= /m/ /ss/=kisses
runs= /n/ /ch/=watches
Sings= /ng/ /sh/=washes
offers= /r/ /ge/= judges
Drives= /v/
Plays= /y/
breathes=/ò/

10. 1. speaks
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/s/

11. 2. burns
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/z/

12. 3. expects
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/s/

13. 4. runs
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/z/

14. 5. brushes
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/iz/

15. 6. climbs
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/z/

16. 7. expresses
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/iz/

17. 8. forgets
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/s/

18. 9. laughs
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/s/

19. 10. mixes
Let’s practice!
What sound do you hear?
/s/ /z/ /iz/
/iz/

20. Questions?
Image shared under CC0

21. Thank you for attending!
See you next time!
Image shared under CC0 Image shared under CC0