Adding ed, ing, or es to a Long-Vowel (Silent e) Root Word

NEW CONCEPT. When we have a long-vowel silent e root word and want to add ed, ing, or es to it, we drop the silent e and then add the suffix. See this pattern with grade → graded, grading, and grades. Depending on the root word, the ed ending will be pronounced |əd|, |d|, or |t|. To add s to a silent e long-vowel word, drop the e and add es.

When ed says |әd|

I & II NEW PATTERN. When a root word ends with the sound of d or t and we add ed, the word will be pronounced with the |әd| schwa sound as an extra syllable (graded, voted). Now look at the word vote, which ends in silent e preceded by a t. To add ed, we will drop the silent e and add –ed. This creates an additional syllable, and the word is now pronounced voted (|vōʹ • tәd|). The suffix ed is pronounced either |əd| or |ĕd|. The upside-down e, |ǝ|, known as a schwa, is pronounced like a shortened short-vowel u sound, |ŭ|. (See Lessons 65, 66, and 67)

When ed says |d|

III & IV INTRODUCE the |d| sound that comes with adding ed to a long-vowel (silent e) word that ends with a voiced sound. Consider the word tune. The silent e in tune is preceded by a voiced sound, n. True to pattern, we drop the silent e and add –ed. The word is pronounced |tünd|. The |d| sound does not add to the syllable count.

PRACTICE dropping the silent e in words and adding ed, ing or es, as with tune → tuned, tuning, tunes. When the root word ends with a voiced consonant, the ed usually is pronounced with the voiced |d| sound (tuned, shined, ruled).

When ed says |t|

V & VI PRACTICE dropping the silent e from root words that end with a voiceless sound and add ed. This suffix is pronounced with a voiceless |t| sound, as in joked |jōkt|.

PRACTICE the spelling pattern for an ed, ing, or es suffix being added to a root word that ends in a voiceless consonant. Examples are joke → joked, joking, and jokes. In these instances, the ed is pronounced with the voiceless |t| sound.

Be sure to have your student spell all of the words in this lesson. As always, discuss the meanings of the words. Mark the completion chart accordingly.

Voiced or Voiceless Sounds

A Reminder: If pronouncing a letter causes your throat to vibrate, that sound is voiced. If no vibration occurs, the letter is considered voiceless.