ShortConsonant contrast
N vs NG Sounds Minimal Pairs
/n/ and /ŋ/ pronunciation, listening, and reading practice
/n/ is made at the front of the mouth, while /ŋ/ is made at the back. English NG is one sound and does not require a final /ɡ/.
Produce both sounds accurately
What changes in the mouth?
N
Touch the tongue tip to the ridge behind the upper teeth.
NG
Keep the tongue tip down and raise the back of the tongue; send voice through the nose.
Accuracy note: Do not add /ɡ/ to sing unless the word actually requires it, as in finger.
8 reviewed contrasts
Listen to the minimal pairs
Play both words in a row. First decide whether they sound the same or different; then repeat each word without adding an extra vowel.
Interactive practice
Listen and choose
Hear one word, then select the word you heard. Complete six questions and replay whenever you need to.
Listen carefully, then choose.
Meaning in context
Read both sounds in sentences
1The king can sing.
2The bell rang when Nan ran.
3The thin wing is long.
4The song was sung in the sun.
Read once slowly for accuracy, then reread at a natural pace. Ask the learner to point to each target word and explain its meaning.
Deliberate practice
A five-minute teaching routine
Play four words and ask the learner to identify sound A or sound B.
Reveal the pair, say both words, and check the mouth cue above.
Read one sentence and discuss how changing the sound changes the word.
Say in, then ing. Feel the contact move from the tongue tip to the back of the tongue.
Offline review
Print this sound contrast lesson
The print view includes the mouth cues, reviewed pairs, accuracy note, sentences, and practice routine.