Suffix -ES
When a word already ends in a hissing or buzzing sound, -ES adds a whole extra syllable that says “iz” — like 'boxes' and 'pages'.
How this rule works
Try saying 'boxs' — you can't, the two hissing sounds run together. So the ending opens up into its own syllable: box → box-es. This happens after s, x, z, ch and sh (boxes, buzzes, watches, wishes), and also after a soft c or soft g, which are hissing and buzzing sounds themselves (faces, pages, bridges). When the word does NOT end in one of those sounds, the e goes quiet and the ending is just an /s/ or a /z/ — cakes, shoes.
Remember: -ES adds a whole extra syllable — box-es, wish-es!
Examples
Words that use this rule
32 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
Exceptions
Three plural sounds: /ɪz/ after a hissing or buzzing sound, /s/ after quiet sounds, /z/ after buzzing sounds.
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