4.1.1. Pronunciation & spelling of third person singular

Pronunciation

Although the morphological suffix for third person singular verbs in the simple present tense is -s, or -es, the suffix is pronounced differently depending on the sound of the last syllable of the verb. If the last syllable of the verb sounds like:

s, se, ce [s]*z, ze [z]sh [š]ch [č]j, dge [ĵ],

Then the suffix is pronounced as a voiced ez [әz]. For example:

  • faces [fesәz]
  • misses [mIsәz]
  • dozes [dozәz]
  • hushes [hәšәz]
  • catches [kætčәz]
  • nudges [nәĵәz]

If the last syllable of the verb is a voiceless sound, then the suffix is pronounced as an unvoiced s [s]. Voiceless sounds are produced by not vibrating the larynx, or voice box, in the throat. The voiceless, or unvoiced, sounds in English are:

p, pe [p]t, tt, te [t]k, ck, ke [k]f, gh [f]th [θ]h [h]y [j]

For example:

  • breaks [breiks]
  • counts [kaunts]
  • drinks [driŋks]
  • hopes [hops]
  • likes [laiks]
  • sits [sIts]

If the last syllable of the verb is a voiced sound, then the suffix is pronounced as a voiced z [z]. Voiced sounds are produced by vibrating the larynx, or voice box, in the throat. The voiced sounds in English are:

m, me [m]n, ne [n]ng [ŋ]b, be [b]d, de [d]g, ge [g]v, ve [v]th [ð]w [w]r, re [r]l, ll, le [l]

All vowels in English are also voiced sounds. For example:

  • calls [kalz]
  • destroys [distroiz]
  • gives [gIvz]
  • moans [monz]
  • sobs [sabz]
  • tries [traiz]

 

When a word ends in [s], [sh], [ch], [z], [j] the -es is pronounced as a separate syllable: [ɪz]. Therefore, if a verb ends in one of these sounds, the present tense will have one more syllable than the simple form.

Examples:

fix (1 syllable)-->fixes (2 syllables)

kiss (1 syllable)-->kisses (2 syllables)

wash (1 syllable)-->washes (2 syllables)

watch (1 syllable)-->watches (2 syllables)

damage (2 syllables)-->damages (3 syllables)

memorize (3 syllables)-->memorizes (4 syllables)

exercise (3 syllables)-->exercises (4 syllables)

 

*The letters in brackets are the sounds written in the International Phonetic Alphabet preceded by some spellings of the sounds in written English.

Source: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/esl-lesson-plans/39426-spelling-and-pronuciation-rules-for-simple-present-tense/

 

 

Grammar

 

 

The spelling rules for third person singular when talking about present simple are:

  • The ending is -es when the word ends in -s/-ss/-sh/-ch/-x/-o. Eg: misses, goes, teaches, washes, fixes.
  • Verbs ending in -y change to ie before the ending -s. Eg: studies.
  • Verbs ending in -ay -ey- oy- uy do not change. Just add -s. Eg: plays, enjoys, buys.

 

 

Look at the video about the pronunciation of third person singular:

 

Actividad desplegable

Here's a text that contains both present simple and present continuous. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb. Once you have finished, check if you know how to pronounce the verbs correctly.

Every morning, my mother   me up at about seven. She usually  cereal or toasts for breakfast. She rarely cherry muffins. They are my favourite! I usually my teeth and have a quick shower before having breakfast.

Then, my mother me to school in her car. She hardly ever a taxi to go to school.

Sometimes, my father is not at home for some days. He to the university in Scotland or London. He Chemistry there. My sister and I always my dad, and my mom him, too. When he back, he always some presents for us! We love that!!!

Source: http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=8320