•
Loading...
Checking authentication...
Learn the three different ways to pronounce -ED endings in English past tense verbs with clear rules, examples, and practice exercises.
Practice your pronunciation with interactive games and challenges.
Start PlayingEnglish past tense regular verbs all end in -ED in writing, but this ending is pronounced three different ways depending on the final sound of the base verb. Mastering this rule will make your English sound more natural and fluent.
After voiceless consonants: /p/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/
Examples:
Test: Put your hand on your throat. These base verbs end with sounds that don't make your throat vibrate.
After voiced consonants: /b/, /g/, /v/, /z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/
After vowel sounds
Examples:
Test: These base verbs end with sounds that make your throat vibrate, or they end with a vowel.
After /t/ or /d/ sounds
Examples:
Test: These base verbs already end in /t/ or /d/, so you add a whole new syllable.
English naturally groups similar sounds together for easier pronunciation:
/t/ after voiceless sounds: Your vocal cords aren't vibrating, so adding the voiceless /t/ is natural.
/d/ after voiced sounds: Your vocal cords are already vibrating, so adding the voiced /d/ flows naturally.
/ɪd/ after /t/ or /d/: You can't make /t/ or /d/ twice in a row without a vowel between them, so you add a syllable.
Put your fingers lightly on your throat (Adam's apple area):
Voiceless (no vibration): /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/
Voiced (vibration): /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/
❌ "I cook-ED dinner" /kʊkɛd/ (adding extra syllable)
✅ "I cooked dinner" /kʊkt/ (just /t/ sound)
❌ "I wash the car yesterday" (missing past tense marker)
✅ "I washed the car yesterday" /wɒʃt/
❌ "I lived in Spain" /lɪvt/ (using /t/ instead of /d/)
✅ "I lived in Spain" /lɪvd/ (using /d/)
❌ "I wanted to go" /ˈwɒntd/ (1 syllable instead of 2)
✅ "I wanted to go" /ˈwɒntɪd/ (2 syllables)
Say these verbs in past tense:
Say these verbs in past tense:
Say these verbs in past tense (count syllables!):
To pronounce -ED correctly:
Identify which pronunciation each -ED takes:
"Yesterday, I walked (/t/) to the store, talked (/t/) to my friend, and wanted (/ɪd/) to buy some bread. I needed (/ɪd/) milk too, so I asked (/t/) the clerk. She showed (/d/) me where it was, and I thanked (/t/) her."
Listen to native speakers and notice:
Remember, these rules only apply to REGULAR verbs that follow the -ED pattern:
Regular: walk → walked /wɔːkt/
Irregular: go → went /wɛnt/ (completely different word)
Irregular verbs have their own pronunciations that you must memorize individually.
| Ending Sound | -ED Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| /p/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/ | /t/ | stopped /stɑpt/ |
| All other sounds | /d/ | played /pleɪd/ |
| /t/ or /d/ | /ɪd/ (extra syllable) | waited /weɪtɪd/ |
In very rapid, casual speech, the /t/ and /d/ of -ED can be very subtle or even dropped:
However, always pronounce them clearly when learning. Natural reduction will come with fluency.
Mastering -ED pronunciation is essential for natural-sounding English. Remember the three rules: /ɪd/ after /t/ or /d/, /t/ after voiceless sounds, and /d/ after voiced sounds and vowels. Practice with the exercises above, listen to native speakers, and soon this will become automatic. Your past tense will sound natural and confident!