Pronunciation · Minimal pairs · medium functional load
/n/ vs /ŋ/: thin vs thing
In short
The front nasal /n/ and the back nasal /ŋ/ separate sin/sing, ban/bang and win/wing, and /ŋ/ ends every -ing form in English, so the contrast is constantly on display. This contrast carries a MEDIUM functional load, the contrast separates a fair number of word pairs, so it is worth systematic practice once the high-load contrasts are stable.
How to hear (and make) the difference
For /n/ the tongue TIP touches behind the teeth; for /ŋ/ the BACK of the tongue rises to the /k/-position and the tip stays down. And never release a hard g after /ŋ/: 'sing', not 'sing-guh'.
Most challenging for Spanish, French, Hindi, Farsi, Italian speakers.
7 minimal pairs with audio
- thinθɪnthingθɪŋ
- sinsɪnsingsɪŋ
- banbænbangbæŋ
- winwɪnwingwɪŋ
- ranrænrangræŋ
- tontʌntonguetʌŋ
- sunsʌnsungsʌŋ
Test your ear
Listening drill
/n/ vs /ŋ/: thin vs thing
For /n/ the tongue TIP touches behind the teeth; for /ŋ/ the BACK of the tongue rises to the /k/-position and the tip stays down. And never release a hard g after /ŋ/: 'sing', not 'sing-guh'.
The contrast in sentences
They win every week.
They wing every week.
The phone ran all day.
The phone rang all day.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between thin and thing?
thin /θɪn/ uses the /n/ sound while thing /θɪŋ/ uses /ŋ/. For /n/ the tongue TIP touches behind the teeth; for /ŋ/ the BACK of the tongue rises to the /k/-position and the tip stays down. And never release a hard g after /ŋ/: 'sing', not 'sing-guh'.
Which learners find the /n/ vs /ŋ/ contrast hardest?
It is most challenging for Spanish, French, Hindi, Farsi, Italian speakers, whose first languages don't separate these two sounds.