The /g/ sound is spelled with <g> or <gg>, while the /ŋ/ sound is spelled <ng> throughout.
The contrast is between a velar stop and a velar nasal continuant, both voiced, and can only occur medially or finally. It may cause listening problems for some learners.
The mean density value is 0.9%. The list makes 27 semantic distinctions, a loading of 42%.
bag bang bagged banged bagging banging bags bangs brig bring brigs brings bug bung bugged bunged bugging bunging bugs bungs Doug dung dug dung fag fang fags fangs gag gang gagged ganged gagging ganging gags gangs hag hang hags hangs hug hung log long logged longed logging longing logs longs lug lung lugs lungs pig ping pigged pinged pigging pinging pigs pings rag rang rig ring rigged ringed rigging ringing rigs rings rigger ringer riggers ringers rug rung rugs rungs sag sang slag slang slug slung sprig spring sprigs springs swig swing swigging swinging swigs swings tag tang tags tangs togs tongs tug tongue tugged tongued tugging tonguing tugs tongues wag whang wagged whanged wagging whanging wags whangs Whig wing Whigs wings wig wing wigged winged wigging winging wigs wings
Credit: John Higgins