Grammar Cheatsheet Pronunciation
Extra syllable /ɪz/ for words ending in c/ce, s, ss, sh, ch, x, z, ge. Other endings use /s or /z without an extra syllable.
/ɪz/ (extra syllable)
- —s, —ss, —sh, —ch, —x, —z, —ge, —ce → add -es, pronounce /ɪz
- watch → watches, box → boxes, wish → wishes, judge → judges, price → prices
/s/ (no extra syllable)
- Voiceless final sound → /s/
- cup → cups, cook → cooks, laugh → laughs
/z/ (no extra syllable)
- Vowel or voiced final sound → /z/
- boy → boys, bag → bags, play → plays
Audio Demos — /s/, /z/, /ɪz/
Tap a button to hear example words. (Uses your browser’s speech — if your device blocks it, unmute or allow audio.)
/s/
/z/
/ɪz/
Fictional Story — “Festival Boxes at the City Center”
On Saturday, the city center buzzes with music. Amira manages a booth of art kits while Theo boxes small paints and brushes. A crowd watches the demo table. A child wishes for the kit with extra badges and stickers.
Two packages arrive. The label says “fragile.” Theo places them under the tent. “This order matches the list,” he says. Amira rushes to print name badges. The music changes to a fast beat, and the big screen flashes the schedule.
A staff member buzzes the radio. “The parade time clashes with our demo,” she says. The crowd passes by in waves. Amira finishes a sale, manages the line, and washes a brush. Theo closes the cash box for a break while the noise balances again.
1) The staff member ______ the radio.
2) Amira ______ the line during the rush.
3) Theo ______ the paints into cartons.
4) The parade time ______ with their demo.
5) She ______ the brush and continues.
1) Choose the forms that have an extra syllable /ɪz/.
2) Which does not have /ɪz/?
3) Pick all with /ɪz/.
Dialogue 1 — “Before the Demo” (10 lines)
- Amira: The map shows the booth, and the list matches our boxes.
- Theo: The radio buzzes every minute.
- Amira: The volunteer washes the brushes between groups.
- Theo: The screen flashes the time.
- Amira: The crowd watches the artist mix colors.
- Theo: The cashier finishes a sale and places change in the tray.
- Amira: The music changes and the sound balances better now.
- Theo: The plan clashes with the parade, but we can shift.
- Amira: The manager manages the line quietly.
- Theo: The crowd passes, and the noise drops a little.
Dialogue 2 — “After the Demo” (10 lines)
- Theo: The artist judges the contest at three.
- Amira: The sticker price changes later today.
- Theo: The team washes the tables and brushes.
- Amira: The cashier closes the box and locks it.
- Theo: The host announces that the crowd passes to the music stage.
- Amira: The manager balances the tasks nicely.
- Theo: The app finishes the batch of receipts.
- Amira: The radio buzzes again with a reminder.
- Theo: The next session matches our plan.
- Amira: The last visitor wishes for more time.
Discussion & Writing
- Write about a public event you liked. Use at least 8 words that take /ɪz/.
- Make a list of jobs that often use 3rd-person verbs ending in —sh, —ch, —x, —z, —s, —ss, —ge, —ce.
- Pronunciation practice: Write 10 nouns that take -es and mark the stress.
Role Play — “Schedule Change”
Student A negotiates with the event host; Student B manages the booth. Use at least 6 target words and say them aloud with correct pronunciation.
Minimal Pair Drill — /s/ vs /z/ vs /ɪz/
/s/
- cup → cups (/s/)
- cook → cooks (/s/)
- laugh → laughs (/s/)
/z/
- bag → bags (/z/)
- play → plays (/z/)
- pen → pens (/z/)
/ɪz/
- watch → watches (/ɪz/)
- box → boxes (/ɪz/)
- wish → wishes (/ɪz/)
Micro-Quiz
1) Which has /ɪz/?
2) Which has /z/?
3) Which has /s/?
Answer Key (toggle)
Show/Hide Answers
Vocabulary Matching A
- boxes → containers, cartons
- wishes → hopes; things you want
- watches → looks at; observes
- matches → goes together with; fits
- brushes → cleans with a brush
- judges → decides if something is good or bad
- prices → costs; how much things are
- badges → name tags or small ID cards
Vocabulary Matching B
- places → puts something in a spot
- clashes → conflicts; does not fit the time/plan
- buzzes → rings the radio/door with a buzz
- manages → controls or directs something
- finishes → completes
- changes → becomes different
- washes → cleans with water/soap
- closes → shuts
Vocabulary in Context
- buzzes
- manages
- boxes
- clashes
- washes
MCQ
- Correct: washes, watches
- Correct: grabs
- Correct: prices, boxes, buzzes
Cloze (paragraph)
boxes; wishes; watches; arrives; matches; washes; finishes; manages; clashes; buzzes; flashes; closes; balances; passes
Transformations
- badges
- watches
- prices
- brushes
- places
- buzzes
- changes
- boxes
- matches
- wishes
Minimal Pair Micro-Quiz
- watches
- plays
- laughs