One of the most difficult parts of English is pronunciation. Today we’re going to look at the pronunciation of past tense regular verbs – verbs that end in “ed.” For example: walked, laughed, visited, cleaned.

 

There are three different ways to pronounce “ed” at the end of a word: like a “t,” like a “d,” or like “id.” It all depends on the ending of the verb.

 

With verbs that end in p, k, s (or a c which sounds like “ssss”), ch, sh, ph, f, x, or h, “ed” is pronounced as a “t” sound.

Examples: cooked = cook(t), danced = danc(t), helped = help(t)

 

With verbs that end in l, v, n, m, r, b, v, g, w, y, and z, “ed” is pronounced as a “d” sound.

Examples: arrived = arriv(d), called = call(d), opened = open(d)

 

With verbs that end in a t or d, “ed” is pronounced like “id.”

Examples: rented = rent(id), visited = visit(id), started = start(id)

 

Now watch the video below for more information, then take the quiz: