Even though it seems like English is completely inconsistent and there are no logical pronunciation rules, the pronunciation of the -ed suffix is pretty consistent and clear…if you know the rules.
In this lesson you’ll learn:
– What’s the 3 different pronunciations of the -ed simple past suffix
– when you should use each
– what’s the thumb rule to follow so you don’t have to analyze every word before saying it.
Here are the rules again:
the -ed simple past suffix is pronounced as:
a D sound (no vowel before)
1. After a voiced consonant, as in: subscribed, signed, begged, saved.
2. After a vowel, as in: played, fried, paid.
a T sound (no vowel before)
After a voiceless consonant, as in: worked, crossed, washed, fixed.
-id (a lax /I/ sound or a Schwa before the d)
After a verb ending with a T or D sound, as in: graded, heated, succeeded, invited.
3 Comments on “How to pronounce words with ‘-ed’ past suffix”
Hi Hadar,
So, what should be the difference between washed and watched?
I had this past -ed using problem from my childhood. Thanks a lot for making this great lesson on this topic. It is really helpful and effective. Thanks a lot
I can understand English news such as CNN, BBC, and TV program. but when it comes to conversations, I got stuck. Sometimes my mind goes black.please help me out of this situation.