EnglishPost.org

Pronunciation of ED Endings [ /t/ /d/ /ed/]

Published on November 3, 2020 | Updated on June 19, 2024

Today we are going to learn how to pronounce ED endings with a helpful guide, examples, and a video.

Regular verbs are easy to remember because you just have to add “ed” or “d” at the end of the verb

For example:

WantWanted
Rent Rented
ChangeChanged
DecideDecided

However, the pronunciation of regular verbs in the past create pronunciation problems for people who are learning English and whose native language doesn’t have those sound combinations.



Pronunciation of Ed Endings Rules

To learn the pronunciation of the ED Endings, you have to learn the rules and then imitate what you hear.

There are 3 different ways of pronouncing -ed at the end of verbs in the past or adjectives.

These are /ɪd/, /d/ or /t/, and it all depends on the last sound of the infinitive form of the verb

Let’s check each of them


Pronunciation of ED Endings: Rule #1:

If the verb base ends in a voiceless sound, then the –ed ending sounds like “t”. Voiceless consonants are: p, f, k, s, sh, ch, th

workworked
Dropdropped
finishfinished
stopstopped
watchwatched
washwashed
talktalked
kisskissed
parkparked
helphelped

Pronunciation of ED Endings: Rule #2

 If the verb base ends in a voiced sound, then the –ed ending sounds like “d”. Voiceless consonants are: b, v, g, z, j, th, l, m, n, r

MoveMoved
StayStayed
StudyStudied
ReturnReturned
MarryMarried
HopeHoped
LaughLaughed

Pronunciation of ED Endings: Rule #3

If the verb base ends in a “t” or “d” sound already, then the –ed ending sounds like “id” 

StartStarted
WantWanted
Visit Visited
AttendAttended
DateDated
DecideDecided
EndEnded
NeedNeeded
HateHated
DateDated
SeatSeated

ED Ending Pronunciation Video:

This is a good video to help you learn the three different ED Endings Pronunciations


Pronunciation of ED Endings: Exceptions

The following -ed words used as adjectives are pronounced with /ɪd/:

  • aged
  • dogged
  • ragged
  • blessed
  • learned
  • wicked
  • crooked
  • naked
  • wretched

Pronunciation of ED Endings: Speaking Task

Have a look at the word cloud and make a sentence with the past form of some of the verbs included in the word cloud

Pronunciation of ED Endings

Simple Past Ending -ed – Test

These are some test that you can take online to make sure that you have fully understood how to pronounce regular verbs in the past


Pronunciation of ED Endings Resources

These are some videos that explain well how to pronounce ed ending at the end of verbs and adjectives

  1. Cork English Teacher – Pronunciation of ED Endings
  2. WoodWard English – How to Pronounce ED Endings
  3. Learn English – EngVid – How to Say ED Endings in English
  4. Mmm English – Three Simple Pronunciation Tip – Past Tense English Verbs
  5. EnglishClass101.com – How to Pronounce ED Endings

Manuel Campos

Manuel Campos

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English