Pronunciation insight 1

Present simple -s endings
The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
/s/ as in chats    /z/ as in plays    /ɪz/ as in teaches
1Choose the correct -s ending. Complete each category with the verbs in the box. There should be three words in each category. 
  • finishes
  • watches
  • does
  • goes
  • loves
  • eats
  • likes
  • talks

/ɪz/

  • teaches
    • finisheswatches

    /z/

    doesgoesloves

    /s/

    eatslikestalks






    2Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 1. Then play again, listen and repeat.
    Try again
    Present simple -s endings
    The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
    /s/ as in chats       /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches
    3Play the recording, listen to the -s endings and choose the sound you hear. 
    • 1  gets/s/
      2  has/z/
      3  feels/z/
      4  takes/s/
      5  washes/ɪz/
      6  uses/ɪz/
      7  lives/z/
      8  walks/s/
    4Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 3. Then play again, listen and repeat. 
    Try again
    Present simple -s endings
    The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
    /s/ as in chats      /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches
    5Play the recording and listen to the sentences. Choose the -s ending sound you hear.

    • 1/z/

    • 2/s/

    • 3/ɪz/


    Try again
    Present simple -s endings
    The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
    /s/ as in chats        /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches
    6Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box. Then choose the correct symbols: /ɪz/, /z/ or /s/. Then play the recording, listen and check. 
    • chat
    • get
    • have
    • play
    • start
    • study
    • use
    • watch

    • 1Jenny  basketball on Saturdays.

    • 2Jasmin watches TV every evening.

      /ɪz/

    • 3Zoe has breakfast at 9.00 on Saturdays.

      /z/

    • 4Jim gets dressed before breakfast.

      /s/

    • 5Tom starts school at 8.30 in the morning.

      /s/

    • 6Lauren uses her computer to do her homework.

      /ɪz/

    • 7Callum chats on the phone to Kelly every evening.

      /s/

    • 8Lucy studies Portuguese after school on Thursday.

      /ɪz/

    Try again