The pronunciation of "ed" endings can be challenging and even when we have mastered some of them and can pronounce them well new ones come up and it's confusing to know how to pronounce them. Here are some basic rules on how to pronounce them and various online resources you can check, so that you can finally master them.
There are 3 ways to pronounce the -ed ending.
/Id/, /t/ or /d/
If the base verb ends in the
unvoiced sound of t or d we pronouce it /Id/ sound
If the base verb ends in the
voiced sound of p, f, s, sh, th, ch or k then we pronounce it with a /t/ sound
All other sounds, for example pay, follow, nag we pronounce with the /d/ sound
A
voiced sound is a sound that vibrates as you say it. If you place your fingers in the front of your neck try the f sound -fff - can you feel the vibration?
An
unvoiced sound does not vibrate. Try the "z" sound. There is no vibration.
Here are some examples:
Id
/t/ or /d/ (unvoiced) | /t/ voiced sound | /d/ all other sounds |
| neglected | helped | covered |
| needed | kicked | received |
| shouted | wipped | moved |
| rested | dropped | shivered |
