ng nasal
Rule Core
The ng nasal represents /ŋ/, a velar nasal consonant. When ng appears, it forms one sound, not /n/ plus /g/. It commonly occurs at the end or inside words like sing or long.
Articulation Guide
Lower the tongue tip; raise the back of the tongue to touch the soft palate; keep lips relaxed; let voiced air flow only through the nose.
Word Analysis
sing /sɪŋ/: one nasal sound. long /lɒŋ/: no final g release. Contrast with lens, norm: these use /n/, with the tongue forward, so no ng sound.
Pitfalls
Do not add a /g/ sound. Note the exception: finger /ŋg/ vs singer /ŋ/.
Phonics Breakdown
Lower tongue tip, raise tongue back to soft palate, block mouth airflow, release through nose
Sound Reference
- Block the nose to feel nasal airflow
- Hold the vowel before sliding into /ŋ/
Common Mistakes
Pronouncing ng as /n/+/g/
Releasing a hard final g