Pronouncing the -ed at the end of past tense verbs can be quite confusing for non-native English speakers, as there are actually three different possibilities.  By using these three rules, it becomes more understandable.

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Rule 1: 

If the verb base ends in a voiceless sound, then the -ed ending sounds like a "t".  The "t" sound is blended together with the previous consonant and not pronounced as an extra syllable.

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A voiceless sound is like a whisper; your vocal cords don't vibrate.  Voiceless consonant sounds are:  p, f, k, s, sh, ch, th

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Examples of past tense verbs where the -ed ending sounds like "t":

worked, dropped, finished, divorced, stopped, laughed, coughed, watched

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Rule 2: 

If the verb base ends in a voiced sound, then the -ed ending sounds like "d".  The "d" is blended together with the previous consonant and not produced as an extra syllable.

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A voiced sound means that your vocal cords vibrate.  Voiced consonant sounds: b, v, g, z, j, th, l, m, n, r, all vowel sounds

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Examples of past tense verbs where the -ed ending sounds like "d":

moved, returned, stayed, studied, married, widowed, raised, engaged, travelled  

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Rule 3: 

If the verb base ends in a "t" or a "d" sound already, then the -ed ending sounds like "id" or "ud".  It is pronounced as an extra syllable.

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Examples of past tense verbs where the -ed ending sounds like "ed":

started, graduated, visited, separated, dated, attended

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