Lesson 10: Simple Past

Summary

In this video, Alyssa provides a clear and engaging explanation of how to pronounce regular past tense verbs in English, focusing on the three rules for proper pronunciation. She explains how verbs ending in voiceless consonants use a 'T' sound, those ending in voiced consonants use a 'D' sound, and verbs that already end in 'T' or 'D' use an 'ID' sound. Alyssa also highlights common mistakes and offers examples for practice. By the end, viewers will have a solid understanding of how to correctly pronounce past tense verbs and avoid errors in their speech.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regular past tense verbs in English can be tricky due to three different pronunciations for the same verb form.
• 😀 The simple past tense is formed by adding 'ed' to the base form of the verb, but how it’s pronounced depends on the consonants at the end of the base form.
• 😀 Rule 1: If a verb ends in a voiceless consonant (like 'work'), the past tense is pronounced with a 'T' sound (e.g., 'worked').
• 😀 Rule 2: If a verb ends in a voiced consonant (like 'live'), the past tense is pronounced with a 'D' sound (e.g., 'lived').
• 😀 Rule 3: If the verb already ends in 'T' or 'D' (like 'start'), you add the 'ed' sound, pronounced like 'id' (e.g., 'started').
• 😀 Voiceless consonants are those you produce without using your vocal cords, such as 'p', 'k', and 'f'.
• 😀 Voiced consonants involve using your vocal cords, such as 'b', 'd', and 'g'.
• 😀 Examples of verbs with voiceless consonants include 'hope', 'work', and 'walk'.
• 😀 Examples of verbs with voiced consonants include 'play', 'learn', and 'call'.
• 😀 Some adjectives formed from verbs ending in 'ed' use the 'id' sound, regardless of whether the consonant is voiced or voiceless (e.g., 'crooked', 'dogged').

Q & A

What is the main topic of this video?

The main topic of the video is understanding and correctly pronouncing the simple past tense in English, specifically focusing on how to pronounce regular past tense verbs with the 'ed' ending.

Why can regular past tense verbs be tricky to pronounce?

Regular past tense verbs can be tricky to pronounce because the 'ed' ending has three different pronunciations depending on the final sound of the base verb. This variation can confuse learners.

What are the three different pronunciations of the 'ed' ending in past tense verbs?

The three pronunciations of the 'ed' ending are: the voiceless 'T' sound, the voiced 'D' sound, and the 'ID' sound, which is used when the base form ends in 'T' or 'D'.

How do you pronounce the simple past tense if the base verb ends in a voiceless consonant?

If the base verb ends in a voiceless consonant (like 'k', 'p', or 'f'), the simple past tense is pronounced with a voiceless 'T' sound.

Can you give an example of a verb ending in a voiceless consonant and its simple past tense?

Yes, for example, the verb 'work' ends in a voiceless consonant ('k'), and its simple past tense is 'worked' pronounced with the 'T' sound: 'workt'.

What happens when the base verb ends in a voiced consonant?

When the base verb ends in a voiced consonant, the simple past tense is pronounced with a voiced 'D' sound.

Can you provide an example of a verb ending in a voiced consonant and its simple past tense?

For instance, the verb 'live' ends in a voiced consonant ('v'), and its simple past tense is 'lived' pronounced with the 'D' sound.

What is the rule for verbs that end in 'T' or 'D'?

For verbs that end in 'T' or 'D', you cannot add another 'T' or 'D' sound. Instead, the 'ID' sound is added. For example, 'start' becomes 'started', and 'decide' becomes 'decided'.

Are there any exceptions to the pronunciation rules for the 'ed' ending?

Yes, there are some exceptions. When 'ed' is used as an adjective (like 'crooked' or 'learned'), the pronunciation follows a different pattern, not relying on whether the consonant is voiced or voiceless.

What is a practical way to practice the pronunciation of regular past tense verbs?

A good practice method is to listen to examples and repeat after them, focusing on the pronunciation of the 'ed' endings based on whether the base verb ends in a voiced or voiceless consonant.