How to Pronounce the -ED Ending Correctly in English

How to Pronounce -ED in English

Learn useful rules for Pronunciation of ED ending (Past Tense Pronunciation for Regular Verbs) in English with list and examples.

The final -ed ending has three different pronunciations: /id/, /t/, and /d/

Final -ED is Pronounced /id/

Final -ed is pronounced /id/ after verbs ending in /t/ or /d/ sounds, examples:

• add – added
• lift – lifted
• end -ended
• rest – rested
• defend – defended
• wait – waited
• pretend – pretended
• want – wanted
  

Final -ED is Pronounced /t/

Final -ed is pronounced /t/ after verbs ending in voiceless sounds except /t/, examples:

• /p/ – dropped, shaped, sipped, wrapped, hoped
• /k/ – dropped, locked, marked, wrecked, liked
• /f/ – coughed, laughed, photographed, puffed
• /θ/ – bathed, toothed
• /s/ – danced, placed, kissed, missed, faxed
• /∫/ – brushed, flashed, rushed, wished, washed
• /t∫/ – pinched, reached, touched, watched
  

Final -ED is Pronounced /d/

Final -ed is pronounced /d/ after verbs ending in voiced sounds except /d/. Voiced sounds include vowel sounds:

• /i: / – keyed, guaranteed
• /I/ – pitied, envied, worried, carried
• /ɑ:/ – barred, scarred
• /ɜ:/ – preferred, referred,
• /ə/ –  answered, bothered, gathered
• /eI/ – stayed, delayed, played, weighed
• /b/ – disturbed, robbed, grabbed
• /g/ – begged, dragged
• /m/ – aimed, seemed
• /ð/ – clothed, bathed, mouthed
• /z/ – dazed, pleased, caused
• /l/ – called, killed, rolled, boiled, mailed