Final answer:
In English, an adjective typically comes before a noun ending in the suffix '-ed', as this suffix denotes the past or a completed action. The '-ed' suffix can change pronunciation depending on the word, and this also affects the formation of some gendered nouns and plurals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Adjectives and the Suffix '-ed'
Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns and can have various endings, such as -ous, -ish, -ful, and -ary. An important aspect to understand is the placement of an adjective + noun ending in ED in relation to the noun it describes. When using an adjective with a noun ending with the suffix '-ed', the adjective typically comes before the noun to provide clearer meaning. For instance, in the sentence 'I drove a used car,' 'used' is an adjective that comes before and modifies the noun 'car'. This is because the suffix '-ed' adds a sense of the past to verbs, but when it is used with nouns, it often forms a descriptive compound.
The suffix '-ed' can have different pronunciations, such as [d], [id], and [t], depending on the verb it is attached to. For example, the word 'rubbed' ends with the sound [d]. However, in some verbs, the past tense is indicated by a [t] sound or even spelt with a 't', like 'felt' which is the past of 'feel'. Understanding this helps in properly pronouncing and using past-tense verbs or adjectives derived from them.
Additionally, changes can occur in nouns when forming feminine versions or when pluralizing. For instance, 'waiter' becomes 'waitress' by adding '-ess', dropping the 'e' before the 'r'. It is also important to note that the pronunciation of the '-s' in words may change if it is a part of a suffix like -ous, -us, or -ics as in 'courageous', 'radius', and 'mathematics'. These nuanced rules help to construct sentences with proper grammar and usage.