ng nasal

Rule Core

The 32 ng nasal rule states that when n appears before g or k, it assimilates into the velar nasal /ŋ/ rather than a clear /n/. This phonics pattern reflects natural coarticulation in English.

Articulation Guide

Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate; keep the tongue tip relaxed. The mouth stays slightly open, airflow exits through the nose, and the sound remains voiced.

Word Analysis

• ankle: spelled n+k but pronounced /ˈæŋkəl/.
• anything: ng produces /ŋ/ before /θ/ → /ˈeniθɪŋ/.
• considering: medial ng is a single /ŋ/ sound.

Pitfalls

Do not pronounce a hard /g/ after /ŋ/ unless it is stressed or clearly syllabic, as in finger vs singer.