the sign of the praeterite tense, is true only in regard to the written
language. In _stabbed_, _moved_, _bragged_, _whizzed_, _judged_, _filled_,
_slurred_, _slammed_, _shunned_, _barred_, _strewed_, the e is a point of
spelling only. In _language_, except in declamation, there is no second
vowel sound. The -d comes in immediate contact with the final letter of the
original word, and the number of syllables remains the same as it was
before. We say _stabd_, _m[^o]ved_, _bragd_, &c.

s. 305. When, however, the original word ends in -d or -t, as _slight_ or
_brand_, then, and then only is there the real addition of the syllable
-ed; as in _slighted_, _branded_.

This is necessary, since the combinations _slightt_ and _brandd_ are
unpronounceable.

Whether the addition be -d or -t depends upon the flatness or sharpness of
the preceding letter.

After b, v, th (as in _clothe_), g, or z, the addition is -d. This is a
matter of necessity. We say _stabd_, _m[^o]vd_, _cl[^o]thd_, _braggd_,
_whizzd_, because _stabt_, _m[^o]vt_, _clotht_, _braggt_, _whizzt_, are
unpronounceable.

After l, m, n, r, w, y, or a vowel, the addition is also -d. This is the
_habit_ of the English language. _Filt_, _slurt_, _strayt_, &c., are as
pronounceable as _filld_, _slurrd_, _strayd_, &c. It is the habit, however,
of the English language to prefer the latter forms.

All this, as the reader has probably observed, is merely the reasoning
concerning the s, in words like _father's_, &c., applied to another letter
and to another part of speech.

s. 306. The verbs of the weak conjugation fall into three classes.

I. In the first there is the simple addition of -d, -t, or -ed.

Serve, served. | Dip, dipped (_dipt_).
Cry, cried. | Slip, slipped (_slipt_).
Betray, betrayed. | Step, stepped (_stept_).
Expell, expelled. | Look, looked (_lookt_).
Accuse, accused. | Pluck, plucked (_pluckt_).
Instruct, instructed. | Toss, tossed (_tost_).
Invite, invited. | Push, pushed (_pusht_).
Waste, wasted. | Confess, confessed (_confest_).

To this class belong the greater part of the weak verbs and all verbs of
foreign origin.

s. 307. II. In the second class, besides the addition of -t or -d, the
vowel is _shortened_,

_Present._ _Praeterite._

Creep Crept.
Keep Kept.
Sleep Slept.