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Sound guides / S / Z
S and Z
Both are made with the tongue close to the ridge behind the top teeth, with a narrow stream of air. S has no voice; Z has voice.
Why this sound matters
S and Z carry grammar in English: plurals, verbs and possessives (plans, needs, John's). Dropping or blurring them changes meaning.
Step 1: Find the position
- Bring the tongue tip close to, but not touching, the ridge behind your top teeth.
- Keep your teeth close together and smile slightly.
- Blow a thin, steady stream of air down the middle of the tongue.
- For Z, keep the same position and add voice (feel the buzz).
Step 2: Fix common mistakes
Lisp: S sounds like TH
The tongue is between the teeth. Pull it back behind them.
Slushy S (sounds like SH)
The tongue is too far back or lips too round. Move forward, smile slightly.
Final S or Z dropped
Finish the word. Hold the hiss or buzz for a moment.
Step 3: Practise words
Say each word slowly three times, then at normal speed. Record one round and listen back.
Beginning
- say
- simple
- sales
- zero
- zone
- zoom
Middle
- listen
- basic
- easy
- result
- busy
- design
End / key words
- plans
- needs
- costs
- goes
- his
- because
Step 4: Hear the difference
These pairs differ by one sound. Say them side by side so the difference is clear to a listener.
sipzip
busbuzz
placeplays
priceprize
Step 5: Use it in sentences
Read each sentence aloud twice. Record the second time and check the target sound in every word.
- She says the sales results are simple to explain.
- His plans need two more days.
- Zoom costs less because it is easy to set up.
Keep practising
Short daily practice works better than one long session. Spend 5 minutes on this guide each day for a week.
More sound guides
- The TH sounds (think, this)
- The English R
- The L sound (light and dark L)
- V and W
- Word endings (T, D and -ED)
Educational speaking practice, not speech therapy. For ongoing concerns, talk to a qualified speech-language professional.