In English, many past-tense verbs end with -ED, but they don’t all sound the same when we say them. Sometimes the ending is pronounced as /t/, sometimes as /d/, and other times as /ɪd/. These worksheets will help learners clearly understand and practice the three different -ED pronunciation rules.
-ED Pronunciation Rules (Quick Reference)
| Ending Sound | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| /ɪd/ | Verbs ending in the sounds /t/ or /d/ | wanted, needed, decided |
| /t/ | Verbs ending in voiceless sounds (p, k, s, sh, ch, f, gh, th) | laughed, washed, fixed, stopped |
| /d/ | All other cases (verbs ending in voiced sounds) | played, cleaned, loved, opened |
Download ED Pronunciation Worksheets
1. Write Past Simple / Participle verbs or adjectives ending in -d / -ed / -ied in the correct column.
2. Sort the verbs into the correct column based on the pronunciation of the -ED ending.
ED Pronunciation Exercises
Exercise 1: Circle the Correct Pronunciation
Direction: Tick ✅ the correct pronunciation of the -ED ending for each word.
| Word | /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|---|
| cleaned | |||
| shouted | |||
| laughed | |||
| brushed | |||
| fixed | |||
| visited | |||
| ended | |||
| helped | |||
| played | |||
| inspired | |||
| washed | |||
| decided | |||
| wanted | |||
| kissed | |||
| stopped | |||
| loved |
Answer Key – Exercise 1
| Word | /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|---|
| cleaned | ✅ | ||
| shouted | ✅ | ||
| laughed | ✅ | ||
| brushed | ✅ | ||
| fixed | ✅ | ||
| visited | ✅ | ||
| ended | ✅ | ||
| helped | ✅ | ||
| played | ✅ | ||
| inspired | ✅ | ||
| washed | ✅ | ||
| decided | ✅ | ||
| wanted | ✅ | ||
| kissed | ✅ | ||
| stopped | ✅ | ||
| loved | ✅ |
Exercise 2: Sorting Activity
Direction: Sort the following verbs into the correct column based on the pronunciation of the -ED ending.
Word List:
cleaned, shouted, laughed, brushed, fixed, visited, ended, helped, played, inspired, washed, decided, wanted, kissed, stopped, loved
| /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|
Answer Key – Exercise 2
| /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|
| fixed, laughed, brushed | cleaned, played | shouted, visited |
| helped, washed, kissed | inspired, loved | ended, decided |
| stopped | wanted |
Exercise 3: Choose the Word with the Correct -ED Pronunciation
Directions: Each question lists four verbs in the past form. Circle the word that matches the -ED pronunciation shown.
- Ending sound: /t/
a. cleaned b. shouted c. laughed d. visited - Ending sound: /ɪd/
a. helped b. loved c. wanted d. washed - Ending sound: /d/
a. laughed b. played c. stopped d. brushed - Ending sound: /ɪd/
a. kissed b. fixed c. decided d. cleaned - Ending sound: /t/
a. called b. brushed c. cried d. pulled - Ending sound: /d/
a. helped b. opened c. laughed d. hoped - Ending sound: /ɪd/
a. danced b. ended c. laughed d. played - Ending sound: /t/
a. loved b. washed c. cried d. stayed - Ending sound: /d/
a. smiled b. shouted c. waited d. hunted - Ending sound: /ɪd/
a. fixed b. jumped c. visited d. talked
Answer Key – Exercise 3
- c. laughed
- c. wanted
- b. played
- c. decided
- b. brushed
- b. opened
- b. ended
- b. washed
- a. smiled
- c. visited
Exercise 4: Add -ED and Sort the Pronunciation
Direction: Add -ED to each verb below. Then sort the words by pronunciation:
/t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
Verb List:
watch, hope, help, laugh, talk, brush, love, clean, play, open, wait, start, end, shout, need
| /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|
Answer Key – Exercise 4
| /t/ | /d/ | /ɪd/ |
|---|---|---|
| watched, hoped, helped, laughed, talked, brushed | loved, cleaned, played, opened | waited, started, ended, shouted, needed |
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