30-Day Accent Challenge, Day 26

When we add s to make a plural, the voicing of the s (whether it says "s" or "z") depends on the voicing of the word.  If the word ends with a voiceless sound (p, t, k, f), the s will be voiceless /s/.  If the word ends with a voiced sound (b, d, g, v, r, w,  m, n ng. l, vowels), the s will be voiced /z/.  When the word ends with an s, z, sh, ch or j sound, we add the letters -es and pronounce an extra syllable "-ez"/əz/.   Below you will find plurals for the most common nouns, sorted by voiced and voiceless sounds.

Words ending in voiceless sounds p, t, k, f.  For these plurals, pronounce /s/.

states
students
groups
parts
weeks
governments
nights
points
facts

Plurals: S Says S

Words ending in voiced sounds (b, d, g, v, r, w, m, n ng. l, vowels). For these plurals, pronounce/z/.

times
years
ways
days
things
lives
worlds
schools
families
countries
problems
hands
companies
systems
programs
questions
numbers
homes
rooms
mothers
areas
stories
studies
eyes
jobs
words
heads
friends

Plurals: S says Z

Words ending in s, z, sh, ch or j.  Add -es, and pronounce an extra syllable -ez /əz/.

places
cases
businesses
houses
services
faces
offices
changes

Plurals: -es Says IZ