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Jomateix Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Allomorphy before plural. /s/ or /z/ ?

hi,,

I know the rules to make the plural for the spelling and the pronuntiation, however I have a query about the sound /s/ or /z/ when it occurs before the plural in words such as house, kiss, horse for instance. Which would be the pronuntiation of the "s" that is located just before the plural ending?

would it be /housiz/ or /houziz/ ?

/kisiz/ or /kiziz/ ?

/horsiz/ or /horziz/ ?

/glasiz/ or /glaziz/ ?

And if they differ, which are the rules for that ?

I think it has to do with whether the "s" is located between voiced sounds or not, but sometimes I see plural nouns with the "s" in between pronounced like /s /.

Can anybody explain that to me, please?

Thanks a lot
  

Top answer

jomateix Which would be the pronuntiation of the "s" that is located just before the plural ending? It's 'always' /s/, so the ending is /siz/. The only exception is that many people, but not all, say "houses" with /ziz/ even though "house" ends in /s/.

— CalifJim

  • jomateix Which would be the pronuntiation of the "s" that is located just before the plural ending?
  • It's 'always' /s/, so the ending is /siz/.
  • The only exception is that many people, but not all, say "houses" with /ziz/ even though "house" ends in /s/.
  • CJ
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5 Answers
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jomateixWhich would be the pronuntiation of the "s" that is located just before the plural ending?
It's 'always' /s/, so the ending is /siz/.

The only exception is that many people, but not all, say "houses" with /ziz/ even though "house" ends in /s/.

CJ
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CalifJimThe only exception is that many people, but not all, say "houses" with /ziz/ even though "house" ends in /s/.
I noticed this too. I wonder if there is interference from the verb "to house", which does have a /z/. In the third person you get [houzez], which might be why that sounds acceptable for the plural of "house".
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BaldKingOfFranceinterference from the verb "to house"
Possibly, but whatever the phenomenon, it doesn't spill over to the nouns uses, excuses, or abuses.

I forgot to mention above: I have also occasionally heard the plural noun blouses with /ziz/.

CJ
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what about the distinction between the possessive
house's , pronounced "housez"

and

houses pronounced "houziz"
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AnonymousWhat about the distinction between the possessive
house's , pronounced "housez"

and

houses pronounced "houziz"?
Interesting question. The possessive form comes up naturally so seldom, it's hard to say what the usual pronunciation is.
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