I usually notice  from my students the pronunciation errors of the regular past verbs. The error is normally on the last syllable of the verb like “talked” pronounced as /to-ked/ instead of /tokt/ or “robbed” as /rob-bed/ instead of /robd/.  So, I decided to post some of the rules on pronunciation for regular past verbs.

Regular Verbs: Pronunciation of  -ED Endings

1. Final –ed is pronounced /t/ after voiceless sounds. You make a voiceless sound by pushing through your mouth. No sound comes from your throat. 

Examples of voiceless sounds: /k/,p/,/s/,/ch/,/sh/

talked              =          talk/t/

stopped           =          stop/t/

hissed              =          hiss/t/

watched          =          watch/t/

washed            =          wash/t/  

2. Final –ed is pronounced /d/ after voiced sounds. You make a voiced sound from your throat. Your voice box vibrates. Examples of voiced sounds: /l/,/n/,/v/,/b/, and all vowel sounds.  


called               =          call/d/

rained              =          rain/d/

lived                =          live/d/

robbed             =          rob/d/

stayed              =          stay/d/

3. Final –ed is pronounced /Əd/ after “t” and “d” sounds. /Əd/ adds a syllable to a word.

waited             =          waitƏd

needed            =          needƏd

Now that you know the rules, let’s see you if you get them right. Take the quiz!

[QUIZZIN 10]