How do I pronounce 's' in 'shows'?

Question

In The chart shows information, should I pronounce [s] or [z] at the end of shows?

Answer 1

The rule for the pronunciation of third person S is as follows:

• If the word ends in a sibilant /s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/, then add /ɪz/

If the word ends with a different sound, then:

• If the last sound in the base is voiced, add /z/
• If the last sound in the base word is voiceless, add /s/

The word show ends in a vowel sound. Vowel sounds in English are voiced, so we need to add /z/ here: /ʃəʊz/.