How to Pronounce -ed in English (Rule 1)
Rule 1: The -ed ending is pronounced as /ɪd/ when the base verb ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound.
Base Verbs Ending in /t/ Sound
| Base Verb | Past Tense | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| want | wanted | /ˈwɒn.tɪd/ |
| wait | waited | /ˈweɪ.tɪd/ |
| start | started | /ˈstɑː.tɪd/ |
| visit | visited | /ˈvɪ.zɪ.tɪd/ |
| paint | painted | /ˈpeɪn.tɪd/ |
| chat | chatted | /ˈtʃæt.ɪd/ |
| shout | shouted | /ˈʃaʊ.tɪd/ |
| cheat | cheated | /ˈtʃiː.tɪd/ |
| act | acted | /ˈæk.tɪd/ |
| arrest | arrested | /əˈres.tɪd/ |
Base Verbs Ending in /d/ Sound
| Base Verb | Past Tense | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| need | needed | /ˈniː.dɪd/ |
| decide | decided | /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪd/ |
| invite | invited | /ɪnˈvaɪ.tɪd/ |
| provide | provided | /prəˈvaɪ.dɪd/ |
| include | included | /ɪnˈkluː.dɪd/ |
| divide | divided | /dɪˈvaɪ.dɪd/ |
| guide | guided | /ˈɡaɪ.dɪd/ |
| afford | afforded | /əˈfɔː.dɪd/ |
| pretend | pretended | /prɪˈten.dɪd/ |
| avoid | avoided | /əˈvɔɪ.dɪd/ |
Sentences with -ed from /t/ Endings
- He waited and shouted for help.
- They chatted and acted like old friends.
- She started and painted right away.
- We visited and shouted at the museum.
- The kids acted and shouted during the play.
- I waited and chatted outside the café.
- He shouted and protested against the rule.
- They painted and decorated the room together.
- She visited and started a new project.
- He shouted and acted bravely on stage.
Sentences with -ed from /d/ Endings
- He needed and provided help.
- She decided and included everyone.
- They guided and guarded the entrance.
- We avoided and pretended all day.
- The teacher graded and recorded the scores.
- The kids demanded and responded quickly.
- She afforded and donated the funds.
- He pretended and avoided the question.
- They divided and distributed the books.
- She responded and guided with care.
Summary: When a verb ends in /t/ or /d/, the -ed ending is pronounced as /ɪd/. Practice speaking these aloud to master your pronunciation!