Past Simple -ED Pronunciation – How to nail it!!!

When your students are learning the past simple, they might pronounce the -ed ending as an extra syllable at the end of every regular past simple verb.

So, how can we help them ace their pronunciation?

Read along to find out!

If you prefer to read this article as a printable PDF, click here!

HOW TO PRONOUNCE THE -ED ENDINGS OF REGULAR VERBS.pdf

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To ensure that your students are using the correct pronunciation of -ED, we have to differentiate between voiced and voiceless sounds.

What is a voiced and voiceless sound?

To create a voiced consonant sound, we need to use our vocal folds to create sounds. Consonants will sound as if you are humming and our lips, tongue, and teeth will alter the sound.

To create a voiceless consonant sound, we do not need to use our vocal folds. Consonants will sound breathy and our lips, tongue, and teeth will alter the sound.

Now that we have that out of the way, there are only 3 rules to remember!

Rule 1: Voiced Sounds

If the verb base ends in a voiced sound, then the –ed ending sounds like /d/ with no extra syllable.

Rule 2: Voiceless Sounds

If the verb base ends in a voiceless sound, then the –ed ending sounds like /t/ with no extra syllable.

Rule 3: The -ed Sound

If the verb base ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound already, then the –ed ending is pronounced as an extra syllable.

Let’s break down the rules further:

RULE 1

If the verb base ends in a voiced sound, then the –ed ending sounds like /d/ with no extra syllable.

Example: Moved

Verb base of moved is move which ends in the voiced sound of /v/

Therefore the -ed on the end will sound like a /d/ sound.

Voiced consonant sounds:

b, d, v, g, z, j, th, l, m, n, r, zh, ng, w, y

IPA:

/b/, /d/, /v/, /g/, /z/, /ʤ/, /l/, /m/, /n/, /r/, /ʒ/, /ŋ/, /w/, /j/

RULE 2

If the verb base ends in a voiceless sound, then the –ed ending sounds like /t/ with no extra syllable.

Example: Worked

Verb base of worked is work which ends in the voiceless sound of /k/

Therefore the -ed on the end will sound like a /t/ sound.

Voiceless consonant sounds:

t, p, f, k, s, sh, ch, th

IPA:

/t/, /p/, /f/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/, /ʧ/, /θ/

TIP!

Always trust the way something sounds before looking at the spelling of a word.

Example: Laughed

Verb base of laughed is laugh which ends in the voiceless sound of /f/

Despite it ending with the letter h, the 'gh' creates the sound /f/ in this context.

Therefore the -ed on the end will sound like a /t/ sound.

RULE 3

If the verb base ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound already, then the –ed ending is pronounced as an extra syllable: /ɪd/

Example: Started

Verb base of started is start which ends in the /t/ sound/

Therefore the -ed is pronounced as an extra syllable.

Practice for your students:

The printable of this practice sheet is on Page 7 of the PDF here.