Find English Teachers

How to Pronounce the ng Consonant in English
Description
This description will really help you with this difficult sound!
How to Pronounce the "ng" in an "ing" word in English
Pronouncing the "ng" sound in "ing" words can be a bit tricky for learners of English, but with practice, it can become second nature. The "ng" sound is a nasal consonant, represented by the phonetic symbol /ŋ/. It is produced by the back of the tongue making contact with the soft part of the roof of the mouth (the velum), while the sound resonates in the nasal cavity.
Here are some tips to help you pronounce the "ng" sound correctly in "ing" words:
1. **Positioning the Tongue**: Start by positioning the back of your tongue against the soft part of your upper mouth, as if you are about to say the sound "k." However, instead of releasing the "k" sound, let the air pass through your nose.
2. **Relax the Tongue**: Keep the tongue relaxed to allow for a smooth nasal sound. Tensing the tongue can make the sound come out more like a "g."
3. **Nasal Resonance**: Focus on directing the airflow through your nose. You should feel a slight vibration in your nasal passages.
4. **Avoid a Hard "g" Sound**: Be careful not to add a hard "g" sound at the end. The "ng" sound is a single, continuous sound rather than a combination of "n" and "g."
Here are ten examples for practice:
1. **Sing**: /sɪŋ/
- "She loves to sing in the choir."
2. **Ring**: /rɪŋ/
- "The phone began to ring loudly."
3. **Long**: /lɒŋ/
- "It's going to be a long day."
4. **King**: /kɪŋ/
- "The king ruled the land wisely."
5. **Bring**: /brɪŋ/
- "Please bring your book to class."
6. **Thing**: /θɪŋ/
- "What's that strange thing over there?"
7. **Going**: /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
- "Are you going to the party?"
8. **Swimming**: /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
- "Swimming is my favorite sport."
9. **Running**: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
- "He has been running every morning."
10. **Morning**: /ˈmɔrnɪŋ/
- "I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning."
Podcast Channel
English for IT Pros
Author
All episodes

Neil McTaggart's Crossing (6): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1110)

1109 Notting Hill Carnival 1976 | Looking Back at London’s Iconic Celebration

Notting Hill Carnival 2025 | Easy English News Story for Students

Neil McTaggart's Crossing (5): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1106)

Easy Lebanese Chicken – Simple Cooking Recipe in English
Popular episodes

Teacher Joseph's Podcast
Neil McTaggart's Crossing (6): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1110)

Teacher Joseph's Podcast
1109 Notting Hill Carnival 1976 | Looking Back at London’s Iconic Celebration

Teacher Joseph's Podcast
Notting Hill Carnival 2025 | Easy English News Story for Students

Teacher Joseph's Podcast
Neil McTaggart's Crossing (5): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1106)

Teacher Joseph's Podcast
Easy Lebanese Chicken – Simple Cooking Recipe in English