In American English the 's' in sides sounds like /z/ too.
Here are the rules for pronouncing the final 's' in American English.
1. ‘es’ is pronounced as /ez/ after these sibilant sounds
/s/ businesses, buses
/z/ freezes, causes
/sh/ bushes, marshes
/ch/ churches, lunches
/j/ pages, judges and ADVANTAGES ( :
2. “s” is pronounced as /z/ after these voiced consonant sounds and all vowel sounds
/b/ tabs
/d/ cards
/v/ loves
/g/ hugs
/th/ bathes
/l/ girls
/r/ cars
/m/ moms
/n/ men’s
/ng/ sings
/y/ boys
/w/ how’s
3. “s” is pronounced as /s/ after these voiceless sounds
/p/ stops, mops
/t/ cats, puts
/f/ coughs, laughs
/k/ makes, trucks
/th/ baths, months
Hope this helps!
Susan
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