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I checked more dictionaries and the phonetic transcription (IPA) for the word: 'copy' is [ˈkɑp i]. It's two syllables with stress on the first syllable.

I know that the plural of "copy" is "copies" and we add that -es suffix. As far as I know the -es suffix phonetically looks like [ɪz]. However, this doesn't make sense to me:

copy [ˈkɒp i]

copies [ˈkɒp i ɪz]

There is a long "i" vowel in the singular and the ɪ in ɪz is a short vowel. Can someone explain me what is the phonetic transcription of the word "copies" more exactly?

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  • If the singular word already ends with an [i] sound, the plural is usually pronounced [iz] and not [ɪz]
    – Vlammuh
    Oct 7, 2015 at 8:55
  • Thank you, Sander. Your time is greatly appreciated. Is it a two syllable word. Right? regardless if it's singular or plural.
    – Zoltan King
    Oct 7, 2015 at 10:27
  • It's always 2 syllables, yes.
    – JMB
    Oct 7, 2015 at 11:08
  • 1
    General rules: ell.stackexchange.com/questions/18381/…
    – user230
    Oct 7, 2015 at 13:29

1 Answer 1

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The short I in the "es" suffix gets assimilated (or merged) with /i/ (i.e. the ee vowel) if it precedes it.

e.g. places /ˈpleɪsɪz/ vs. trophies /troʊfiz/.

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