One -s- or two -ss- ? - Le Conjugueur
Direct Source Verification:
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When there is only one s in the word, it can give either the sound [z] or the sound [s]. Indeed, the general rule is that the sound [z] occurs when the -s- is preceded and followed by a vowel. Otherwise, it is the sound [s].
When there is only one s in the word, it can give either the sound [z] or the sound [s]. Indeed, the general rule is that the sound [z] occurs when the -s- is preceded and followed by a vowel. Otherwise, it is the sound [s].
However, there are exceptions to the general rule. In some compound words, even if the -s- is surrounded by vowels, it is still pronounced [s].
There is also an exception in the other direction when there is a single -s- that is not surrounded by vowels and is pronounced [z] : du vinaigre balsamique.
When two -ss- follow each other, they always form the sound [s], even if they are surrounded by vowels.
Original Source
https://leconjugueur.lefigaro.fr/ukorthographesss.php
