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2.17: The Consonant Sound 'Eng'

  • Page ID
    7066
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    The Consonant Sound Eng

    You can hear the sound [m] at the end of rum. You can hear the sound [n] at the end of run. At the end of rung you can hear the sound [ŋ]. The sound [ŋ] is called eng.

    When the sound [ŋ] has the sounds [g] or [k] right after it, it is spelled <n>. Everywhere else it is spelled <ng>.

    Examples

    In think the <k> spells [k], and [ŋ] is spelled <n>. And in tangle the <g> spells [g], and [ŋ] is spelled <n>. But in most words [ŋ] is spelled <ng> as in rung.

    Review

    1. Underline the letters that spell [ŋ] and then sort the words into the matrix. (Be careful! When you get done, two squares should be empty!)
    2. Say the word think. There is a [k] right after the [ŋ]: [thiŋk]. Put an X beside each word that has a [k] right after the [ŋ]. Counting think, there are three.
    3. Say the word tangle. There is a [g] sound right after the [ŋ]. Put an X beside each word that has a [g] right after the [ŋ]. There are four.
    4. When there is a [k] or a [g] right after the sound [ŋ], [ŋ] is spelled ______, but everywhere else it is spelled ______.

    Explore More

    Word Squares

    All but two of these words contain the sound [ŋ], spelled either <ng> or <n>.

    Four-letter word: dark

    Five-letter words: thank, going, uncle, being

    Six-letter words: finger, single, uncles, thinker

    Seven-letter words: sunning, monkeys, further, dogging, landing

    Eight-letter words: language, hungriest 

    The two words that do not contain [ŋ] are ______ and ______.

    Show Answer

    The two words that do not contain [ŋ] are dark and further.


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