Quote:
Originally Posted by NatCh
Grammatically the "ed" is a separate syllable, even if it ain't pronounced separately much in "the States."  |
Not, syllables have nothing to do with grammar. They have to do with word sounds. Adding an "ed" to a word only adds a syllable if the word ends with a t or d sound...
Like:
text (one syllable)
texted (two syllables)
plate (one syllable)
plated (two syllables)
Words that end with voiceless consonants like c, ch, f, gh, k... adding the "ed" actually adds a "t" sound to the word like:
force (one syllable)
forced (one syllable, pronounces like forst)
play (one syllable)
played (one syllable)
Hence:
gobsmack (two syllables)
gobsmacked (two syllables, pronounces like gob/smact)
BOb