VocabularyABeginner

Pronunciation of -ed

When -ed Adds a Syllable

The /ɪd/ pronunciation is the only one that adds an extra syllable to the word. This only happens when the base verb ends in /t/ or /d/: wanted (2 syllables), needed (2 syllables), landed (2 syllables), decided (3 syllables). If the base verb does not end in /t/ or /d/, -ed does NOT add a syllable: "cleaned" is one syllable, not two.

When -ed Adds a Syllable

The /ɪd/ pronunciation is the only one that adds an extra syllable to the word. This only happens when the base verb ends in /t/ or /d/: wanted (2 syllables), needed (2 syllables), landed (2 syllables), decided (3 syllables). If the base verb does not end in /t/ or /d/, -ed does NOT add a syllable: "cleaned" is one syllable, not two.

Practice

Which word has two syllables when said aloud?

"Started" hassyllables.

Put the words in the correct order to complete the rule:

Click words from the bank to place them here

Previous

The Three -ed Pronunciations