Consonant Sounds /s/ and /z/ - SS1 English Lesson Note
- Explanation of Consonant Sounds
/s/ and /z/ - examples
The consonant sounds /s/ and /z/ are both produced by the vocal cords vibrating as air passes through the mouth. The difference between the two sounds is in the way the airflow is produced.
The /s/ sound is a voiceless, unvoiced consonant, which means that the vocal cords do not vibrate while producing the sound. To make the /s/ sound, air is forced through a small opening between the tongue and the upper teeth. Examples of words that begin with the /s/ sound include "snake", "sun", and "soup".
The /z/ sound is a voiced consonant, which means that the vocal cords vibrate while producing the sound. To make the /z/ sound, the mouth is in the same position as for the /s/ sound, but the vocal cords are engaged, creating a buzzing or humming sound. Examples of words that begin with the /z/ sound include "zebra", "zipper", and "zoo".
/s/ and /z/ are examples of English consonants. /z/ is voiced and /s/ is voiceless. The spelling symbol for /s/ is the letter s as in see /si:/. The spelling symbol for /z/ is the z as in zip, dizzy.
In many cases, /z/ is spelt with the letter s as in plays /pleiz/, lose /lu:z/. There are also cases where /z/ is spelt with x as in exact /igzǣkt/, exalt /igzↄlt/, exam /igzǣm.
the examples of words with these sounds to show the contrast.
/s/ /z/
sue zoo
soon zoom
hiss his
said zed
sip zip
ice eyes
grace graze
sink zinc
seal zeal