Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[worksmart]

Is the ed in missed pronounce as a "t" or "d".

How about happened?


I learned yesterday that if the ending of a word is voiced, then t, if not voiced, then d.

But I don't know if the word of miss, the second s is voiced or not. And happened...the n is voiced, but I have heard that it was pronounced with "d", maybe I heard it wrong.

Thanks!

[Mister Micawber]

.
You have the rule reversed.

If the terminal consonant sound is a voiced consonant (b, g, v, z, dz, etc) or is a liquid (r, l) or a nasal (m, n, ng) or a vowel sound), the -ed ending is pronounced as /d/ -- robbed. curled, happened, rowed.

If the terminal sound is an unvoiced consonant (p, k, f, s, etc), the ending is pronounced /t/ -- missed, wrapped, tacked, gaffed.

And if the terminal sound is /t/ or /d/, the ending is pronounced /id/ -- rested, ended.
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_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[worksmart]

I am confused...

p, k, f, s,? are not voiced? I thought voiced=make sound...?

e.g. work, we do pronounce the k, right?

thanks!

[Mister Micawber]

Worksmart, put your hand lightly against the side of your throat and say:

PACK -- BACK

SIT -- ZIT

COT -- GOT


You will feel the increased vibration when you say the second word in each set-- that is a voiced consonant. The first word in each pair begins with a voiceless consonant sound.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[Anuradha Chepur]

When the vocal chords vibrate during the production of a sound, it is called a voiced sound. During the production of /p/, /k/, etc., the vocal chords do not vibrate, and they are voiceless sounds. But you need'nt worry about these technical differences. You can directly remember the set of consonants and the pronunciation that goes with them.

[worksmart]

Thanks so much!

Can you give me the complete list of the UNVOICED consonants, besides, p, k, f, s.....so I could memorize them?