-ED Pronunciation in Past Tense Verbs

Are You Saying “Walked” and “Wanted” Correctly? Let’s Find Out.

If you’ve ever wondered why “looked” doesn’t sound like “look-ed,” or why “wanted” has that extra syllable — you’re not alone! The -ed ending is one of the most common pronunciation challenges my students face when learning Australian English.

In this lesson from Aussie English with Amanda, we break down the three different ways to pronounce “-ed” at the end of regular past tense verbs — and how to know which one to use every time.

Here’s a quick overview:

1️⃣ /ɪd/ (extra syllable) – after verbs ending in t or d

want → wanted [ˈwɒntɪd]
end → ended [ˈɛndɪd]

2️⃣ /t/ (no extra syllable) – after unvoiced sounds (no throat vibration)

look → looked [lʊkt]
wash → washed [wɒʃt]
hop → hopped [hɒpt]

3️⃣ /d/ (no extra syllable) – after voiced sounds (your throat vibrates)

live → lived [lɪvd]
drag → dragged [drægd]
prefer → preferred [prɪˈfɜːd]*

The trick? It all comes down to voiced and unvoiced sounds.

Watch the full lesson HERE

Ready to Level Up Your Pronunciation?

If you’re serious about sounding clear, confident, and natural in Australian English, my Mastering Australian English program is the perfect next step.

Inside, you’ll learn to:

• Correct tricky endings like “-ed” and “-s”

• Train your ear for Aussie rhythm and stress patterns

• Build clarity and confidence when speaking fast

• Understand and use native pronunciation patterns across all tenses

It’s the all-in-one roadmap for migrants, international students, and professionals ready to sound more natural — at work, in class, and in everyday conversation.

Enrol here → https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/mastering-australian-english