Peter explains how to make your English speaking natural.

English for IT Pros

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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."



How to Pronounce the ng Consonant in English

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A lot of my students make mistakes in the Past Simple when they're having a conversation. I think this is so unnecessary because it really is simple. To be fluent in English, you need to go back to the simple tenses and learn them really well. Build the foundation of your English speaking on a strong Past Simple and Present Simple foundation. Happy listening!