As you improve your English skills, one area that often causes confusion is how to pronounce the “-ed” ending in regular past tense verbs. The good news is that the rules are straightforward once you learn them! In this guide, we will break down the three different sounds of “-ed” endings, and how to use them correctly to sound more fluent in English.

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1. The /t/ Sound

The “-ed” ending is pronounced as /t/ when the verb ends in a voiceless sound. These are sounds made without vibrating your vocal cords. Some examples of voiceless sounds include: /p/, /k/, /s/, /f/, and /ʃ/ (like in “push”).

Examples:

• Stop → stopped /stɑːpt/
• Kick → kicked /kɪkt/
• Laugh → laughed /læft/

Notice how there is no additional syllable, and the sound is short and crisp.

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2. The /d/ Sound

The “-ed” ending is pronounced as /d/ when the verb ends in a voiced sound. Voiced sounds are made with the vibration of your vocal cords. Examples include /b/, /g/, /v/, /z/, and all vowel sounds.

Examples:

• Play → played /pleɪd/
• Call → called /kɔːld/
• Love → loved /lʌvd/

Again, there’s no extra syllable, but the sound is smoother and more drawn out compared to /t/.

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3. The /ɪd/ Sound

The third pronunciation of “-ed” is /ɪd/ or /əd/, and it is used when the verb ends in /t/ or /d/. This pronunciation adds an extra syllable to the verb, which makes it unique from the other two rules.

Examples:

• Wait → waited /ˈweɪtɪd/
• Decide → decided /dɪˈsaɪdɪd/
• Want → wanted /ˈwɑːntɪd/

If you’re adding an extra syllable, this is your clue that the verb ends in a /t/ or /d/.

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How to Practice the Pronunciation of “-ed”

Now that you know the rules, the key is practice. Start by categorizing a list of regular verbs based on the ending sound and then practice saying them out loud. You’ll quickly begin to notice the difference and gain more confidence in your English speaking skills.

Practice Sentences:

1. She stopped at the store to buy milk. (/t/ sound)
2. They called their friends last night. (/d/ sound)
3. I waited for the bus for 30 minutes. (/ɪd/ sound)

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Why Pronunciation Matters

Clear pronunciation is critical to being understood in conversation. Mispronouncing the “-ed” ending is a common mistake that can lead to confusion. Mastering these three simple rules will help you speak more fluently and improve your overall communication skills.

Whether you’re preparing for an English exam or simply trying to communicate better, understanding these pronunciation rules will take you a long way.

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Final Thoughts

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right immediately. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to master the pronunciation of regular past tense verbs in no time. Stay patient, keep practicing, and soon, it will become second nature!