ng sound

Core Rule

ng represents the velar nasal /ŋ/, not /n/ plus /g/. It commonly appears word-finally or medially, as in sing, long, wavelength.

Articulation Guide

Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate; keep the lips relaxed; let air flow through the nose with voicing.

Word Analysis

In wavelength, ng occurs in -length. Produce /ŋ/ only, then move directly to /θ/ without a hard /g/ release.

Pitfalls

Avoid pronouncing a clear /g/. In forms like singing, ng still equals /ŋ/ before the vowel.