To create the nasal 'ng sound' /ŋ/, air is prevented from leaving the mouth when the back of the tongue lifts and presses against the soft palate at the back of the mouth. The soft palate drops, allowing air to pass out through the nose. This sound is voiced in American English pronunciation.
Introduction to Nasal Sounds > How to pronounce ‘ng’ /ŋ/ > Common ‘ng’ /ŋ spellings > Practice pronouncing ‘ng’ /ŋ
'ng sound' illustration
To create the 'ng sound' /ŋ/, air is prevented from leaving the vocal tract when the back of the tongue lifts and presses against the soft palate at the back of the mouth. The soft palate drops, allowing air to pass out through the nose. The sound is voiced, so the vocal cords vibrate while producing it.
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