PAST TENSE ENDINGS
Non-native speakers
frequently have difficulty mastering American English verb tenses. Some languages do not have past tense forms
of verbs. Other languages have past
tense verbs, but they do not involve adding consonant sounds at the end of the
words.
So, one key problem
non-native speakers have is to learn to pronounce the ending sound of past
tense words.
Common problems:
Not pronouncing the ending sound, so "called" sounds like
"call." Using a T instead of
a D, so "tried" sounds like "trite." Using an extra syllable when a sound is
enough, so "liked" sounds like "lik-ed" (2 syllables).
thanked thanked me when
I finished
watched just watched TV
and slept
borrowed borrowed and
returned a book
opened opened and
close the window
added added and
subtracted the numbers
decided we decided we
needed
I applied for a
job, was interviewed and trained.
She changed shoes
and exercised before she jogged.
Rules of
pronunciation for regular verbs:
1.
Use a T sound to pronounce the past tense when a word ends in one of
these (unvoiced) sounds: P, F, K, S, SH, TH, CH. Examples:
talk--talked(T), wish--wished(T), watch--watched(T)
2.
Use the D sound to pronounce the past tense when a word ends in one of
these (voiced) sounds: B, M, N, J, L, NG, G, R, V, THH, Z and all vowel
sounds. Examples: rob--robbed(D),
fill--filled(D), agree--agreed(D).
3.
Use the syllable I D sound to pronounce the past tense of a word that
ends with a T or D sound.
Examples: need--needed(ID),
want--wanted(ID)