English Pronunciation -s in Third Person

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Questions and Answers

How is the ending -s pronounced when it follows a voiceless consonant?

As [iz]
As [z]
It is not pronounced
As [s] (correct)

The ending -es is used for verbs ending in s, ss, ch, tch, or x.

True (A)

What are the special forms of the verbs 'to have' and 'to be' in the third person?

'has' and 'is'

The pronouns HE and SHE are used as __________ in a sentence.

subjects Signup and view all the answers

Match the following personal pronouns with their respective roles:

HE = Subject pronoun SHE = Subject pronoun HIM = Object pronoun HER = Object pronoun Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following verbs has an exception in the third person form?

to go (B) Signup and view all the answers

The pronoun HIS is a possessive pronoun.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

When pronouncing -s after a voiced consonant, it is pronounced as __________.

[z] Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Third-person singular verb ending -s/-es

The pronunciation of the -s or -es ending in third-person singular verbs changes depending on the preceding consonant sound. If the consonant is voiced, then the -s is pronounced as a voiced /z/; if voiceless, then as /s/; if the verb ends in s, ss, ch, tch, sh, or x, then the -es ending is pronounced /ɪz/.

HE/SHE/IT Pronouns

These are subject pronouns in the third person singular. They are used before the verb, indicating who or what is performing the action.

HER/HIM Pronouns

These are object pronouns in the third person singular. They represent the recipient of the action of a verb.

HIS/HER Possessive Pronouns

These pronouns indicate possession. They indicate ownership of something.

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Exception Verbs (to go, to do)

The verbs "to go" and "to do" do not follow the regular -s/-es rule in the third person singular.

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Exception Verbs (to have, to be)

The verbs "to have" and "to be" have irregular third-person singular conjugations.

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Study Notes

Pronunciation of -s in Third Person

The pronunciation of the suffix -s varies depending on whether the preceding consonant is voiced or voiceless.
For verbs ending in s, ss, ch, tch, or x (sibilants or sibilants), the -es ending is added, pronounced as [ɪz].

Exceptions to the Rule

Few exceptions exist. The verbs to go and to do have special forms.
The verbs to have and to be also have special forms.

HE, SHE, IT Pronouns

To avoid confusion between HE/SHE and HIM/HER: HE and SHE are subjects (go before the verb), and HIM and HER are objects (following the verb, indicating the recipient of the action).
HIS and HER are possessive pronouns (precede nouns, indicating possession, e.g., "his/her sister").