Three Ways to Pronounce the Simple Past -ED Ending
In the English language, mastering pronunciation can be a challenging yet essential skill for professionals who want to elevate their communication and confidence.
One particular aspect that often presents difficulties is the pronunciation of the simple past -ed ending in verbs.
Interestingly, there are three distinct ways to pronounce this ending, each with its own nuances and rules:
1) /əd/
Firstly, the -ed ending can be pronounced as /əd/. For example, in the word "started," the -ed is pronounced as /əd/, resulting in "startəd."
This pronunciation is used when the base form of the verb ends in a voiceless consonant sound, such as /t/ or /k/.
2) /t/
Secondly, the -ed ending can be pronounced as /t/. In words like "watched," the -ed is pronounced as /t/, giving us "watcht."
This pronunciation occurs when the base form of the verb ends in a voiceless consonant sound other than /t/ or /k/.
3) /d/
Lastly, the -ed ending can be pronounced as /d/. For instance, in the word "loved," the -ed is pronounced as /d/, yielding "lovəd."
This pronunciation is used when the base form of the verb ends in a voiced consonant sound, such as /b/, /g/, /v/, /l/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /r/, or /ð/.
Practice
Read the examples below out loud to improve your pronunciation and intonation:
-ED as /əd/
The movie started an hour ago.
The class ended early.
She waited for me.
He needed more money.
I wanted it.
She added a tip.
He tested the product.
I counted the money.
I’m flying United.
He pointed over there.
Our boss does not like to be corrected.
I hated that movie.
He’s easily offended.
We dated two years ago.
We expected more sales this quarter.
-ED as /t/
I watched a movie last night.
She helped us a lot.
How’ve you been? We haven’t talked in years.
Can you believe I worked seventy hours last week. I need a raise.
I jumped up when I saw the snake.
I laughed so hard I almost cried.
We danced all night.
Actually, we danced and kissed all night.
I looked at your report and I found a lot of mistakes.
But don’t worry, I fixed it for you.
She pushed him.
We walked five miles today.
He wished it hadn’t happened.
I like it, but I didn’t love it.
-ED as /d/
She loved it.
Can you believe he yelled at me?
They scored one goal.
You played well today.
He filed the contract.
The art filled her with joy.
The new site opened last week.
We planned to go to the beach this morning, but it rained all day.
I used the new software, but I didn’t like it.
She finally cleaned her car yesterday. It was a mess!
I offered to help, but they said they had it covered.
We can’t sell these products if they’re damaged.
I’m amazed at my progress with this course.
The company claimed they were right.
Understanding these three pronunciations of the simple past -ed ending is crucial for clear and effective communication in English.
By understanding these nuances, you can enhance your pronunciation skills and convey your ideas with greater clarity and confidence in professional settings.
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Pronunciation Resources
Use this link to check the phonetic spelling of any word: tophonetics.com
Use this link to listen to real-life examples of pronunciation and fluency: youglish.com
