Pronounce regular past tense -ed correctly: /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
After voiceless sounds (p, k, f, s, ʃ, tʃ, θ) → /t/. After voiced sounds (b, g, v, z, ʒ, dʒ, ð, m, n, ŋ, l, r, vowels) → /d/.
Do not add an extra syllable unless the verb ends in /t/ or /d/.
Does the verb end in /t/ or /d/? If yes, use /ɪd/ (an extra syllable).
💡 This is a SOUND rule. Spelling is not reliable (e.g., 'laughed' ends with /f/ sound → /t/). British vs US note: the -ed endings (/t/, /d/, /ɪd/) follow the same rules in both varieties; differences you hear are usually from the base word’s sounds (and flapped /t/ in US speech), not the -ed rule itself.
✓worked = /wɜːkt/ (ends with /k/ → /t/)
✗worked = /wɜːkɪd/
After voiceless /k/, -ed becomes /t/ with no extra syllable.
✓played = /pleɪd/ (ends with vowel sound → /d/)
✗played = /pleɪt/
After a voiced sound, -ed is voiced /d/.
✓wanted = /ˈwɒntɪd/ (ends with /t/ → /ɪd/)
✗wanted = /wɒntd/
Verbs ending in /t/ or /d/ need /ɪd/ to pronounce the ending clearly.