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Pronunciation of the final sound -ED - English lesson

In the introductory test, the difficulty consisting in selecting the pronunciation of a final

sound -ED had been mentioned. The opportunities to pronounce this final sound are many:

words ending in -ED are regular verbs in the preterite, in the present perfect, in the past

perfect and in the past participle of these verbs.

This final sound is pronounced: / t /, / d /, et / id / and it is often difficult for Learners to make

this choice, which is often made at random...

To escape this random choice, you should only remember the rule consisting in examining

the original verb (the root verb) before adding -ED.

1) If the root verb) ends with /t/ ou /d/, you should add an extra syllable /id/.

- part: they parted: root verb: part: /id/

- end: they ended: root verb: end: /id/

- test: she tested: root verb: test: /id/ That was easy, wasn't it?

Now, what is happening if the root verb ends with something other than /t/ or /d/?

2) The root-verb may end with three different sounds: besides 'the voiced vowel sounds'

there are also 'voiced consonant sounds' [which are pronounced thanks to the vibrations

of the vocal chords] and 'the unvoiced-consonant sounds' [no vibrations of the chords]

We are always dealing with voiced/ unvoiced SOUNDS and not with lettres.

The rules are that: the voiced sound ot the end of a verb will give a voiced-final sound: /d/

On the contrary, an unvoiced consonant will give an unvoiced-final sound: /t/

It's easy, in fact, but at the beginning, you'll have to place your hand on your throat

to feel, or not to feel, the possible vibrations of it...

REMEMBER:

The verb ends with:

- a vowel sound: ('voiced')=> the final sound will be /d/

- a voiced consonant sound=> the final sound will be /d/ (voiced)

- an unvoiced consonant=> the final sound will be /t/ (unvoiced)

Recaps: - verbs ending with a vowel=> voiced=> ending in -D

- verbs in /t/ or /d/: extra syllable=> final sound in -ED

- verbs ending with a voiced consonant: => ending in -D

(voiced consonants: /b//d//g//v//z//g//n//m//ng//dz//th//zh//j//w//y//l//r/)

- verbs ending with an unvoiced consonant: => ending in -T

( unvoiced consonants: /p//t//k//f//s//sh//h//th//ch/ )

3) Little prep-exercise to make sure you're ready for the test!

Here are several verbs or adjectives ending in -ED that you should read aloud.

The pronunciation of the final sound will be given, but 'hidden', next to each word.

You should pronounce without looking at the corrections, then check whether your

choice is good...

When your performance looks satisfactory to you, do not hesitate to face the test!

Go for it!

walked	t	moved	d	closed	d	jumped	t
opened	d	danced	d	wanted	id	saved	d
dined	d	voiced	t	loved	d	noticed	t
started	id	finished	t	invited	id	enjoyed	d
arrived	d	sounded	id	visited	id	used	d

This, I'm sure, will have helped you understand the mechanism, and perhaps even enabled you

to remember the main verbs linked with the pronunciation of their final sounds.

If not, do not hesitate to do the 'warming-up' exercise again!

Come on! The FORCE is with You!

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This exercise may look long! It isn't! The sentences have been chosen with very easy grammar and vocabulary and don't need a translation, especially as the important point here is NOT the sentence, but the word ending in -ED.
I simply wanted to give you these words in context! (I'll give a translation in French in the French explanation) Don't panic! It's quite easy!

1) Tom organised your birthday party last year.

2) Mum washed your clothes yesterday.

3) You added a little butter on your bread.

4) Wait! I haven't finished my breakfast yet!

5) Tom called me but I couldn't hear him!

6) The baby kicked the ball and fell on his bottom!

7) The concert was postponed because of the violent storm.

8) The big boy pushed the little girl and ran away...

9) If you don't eat your ice cream now, it will be wasted .

10) She asked him to open the door, but he didn't.

11) I told her I loved her, but she didn't believe me!

12) I don't understand! An hour ago, I was relaxed , but now I'm feeling very nervous.

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