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, môvd, clôthd, braggd, whizzd, because stabt, môvt, 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.
[§ 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.