Exceptions and review: -ed, -es, stress and words that break the rules
Short answer: English has patterns, and it has exceptions. This lesson reviews the main pronunciation patterns (-ed as /t/, /d/ or /ɪd/; -es as /ɪz/; word stress; the schwa) and then practices words that do not follow the usual rule, such as said /sɛd/. Treat exceptions as vocabulary: learn each word by sound.
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At a glance
| Topic | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ed | /t/, /d/ or /ɪd/ | walked, played, wanted |
| -es | /ɪz/ after hissing sounds | buses, wishes |
| stress | first syllable for most nouns | TI-ger, RAB-bit |
| schwa | weak vowel in unstressed syllables | ba-NA-na, ho-TEL |
| exception | irregular spelling | said /sɛd/ |
How to make the sound
- Review the pattern for -ed: listen to the sound before it.
- Review -es: add a syllable after s, z, sh, ch, j sounds.
- Find the stressed syllable and weaken the others to schwa.
- For exceptions such as said, say the word and practice it by sound.
Examples in sentences
- wanted
-ed = /ɪd/: /ˈwɑntɪd/. - buses
-es = /ɪz/: /ˈbʌsɪz/. - tiger
stress on the first syllable: /ˈtaɪgɚ/. - banana
stress on the second: /bəˈnænə/. - hotel
stress on the second: /hoʊˈtɛl/. - said
exception: /sɛd/, not /seɪd/.
Common problems
- Applying a rule to every word: said is not /seɪd/. Check unfamiliar words.
- Stressing the wrong syllable: hotel is ho-TEL, not HO-tel.
- Not weakening unstressed vowels: banana has a schwa at the start and end: /bəˈnænə/.
For Vietnamese speakers
- Pay attention to the schwa and the final consonants. They are the most common problems.
- When unsure, look at a dictionary and listen to the word.
Check yourself
- How do you say “-ed” in “wanted”?
Show the answer
/ɪd/ After /t/.
- Where is the stress in “hotel”?
Show the answer
On the second syllable. ho-TEL.
- How do you say “said”?
Show the answer
/sɛd/ An exception.
Questions
What is an exception?
A word that does not follow the usual spelling or sound rule, such as said.
How should I learn them?
As single words. Say them and listen to them.
Are there many exceptions?
Some very common words are exceptions, so they appear often.
More lessons in this part
Part of the 👄 Pronunciation tool: Word Pronunciation Rules. See also the English pronunciation guide. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30