How to Pronounce -ed Endings in English Words

Master the pronunciation of -ed endings in English with these simple rules and examples.

Pronouncing -ed endings correctly in English depends on the preceding sound. Here’s how to master the three different pronunciations: /t/, /d/, and /ɪd/.

 

1. /t/ Sound.

When the word ends with an unvoiced consonant sound like /p/, /k/, or /f/, the -ed ending is pronounced as /t/. 

 

Examples:

- Walked: waakt

- Jumped: juhmpt

 

2. /d/ Sound.

If the word ends with a voiced consonant like /b/, /g/, /v/, or a vowel sound, the -ed ending is pronounced as /d/. 

 

For examples:

- Grabbed: grabd

- Loved: luhvd

 

3. /ɪd/ Sound:

When the word ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound, the -ed ending is pronounced as /ɪd/. 

 

Examples include:

- Started: staar·tuhd

- Ended: en·duhd

 

Understanding these rules will help you pronounce -ed endings correctly. Practice with the provided examples and soon these pronunciations will become second nature.