GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
-ed Spelling Rules

Definition

Regular past tense verbs end in -ed and have special spelling rules.

Example

Judy	talked	to Mary yesterday.
	talk + ed

Explanation

The "-ed" spelling rules are --

add "-ed" to a verb to change it to the past tense. For example, "talk + ed = talked".
when the verb ends in "e", add only "d." For example, "arrive + d = arrived".
when the verb ends in consonant + "y," change the "y" to "i" and add "-ed". For example, "study + ed = studied".
when a verb ends in vowel + "y," add "-ed". For example, "play + ed = played".
when a one-syllable verb ends in vowel + consonant, double the consonant. For example, "stop + p + ed = stopped".
when the stress is on the final syllable of a verb that ends in vowel + consonant, double the consonant. For example, "prefér + r + ed = preferred".
when the stress is not on the final syllable of a verb that ends in vowel + consonant, add "-ed" only. For example, "óffer + ed = offered".

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