Discover some of the most comprehensive and precise methods to pronounce G

Letter G in English has fairly easy and memorable pronunciation. PREP will offer insights and exercises on how to pronounce G in the article below. Keep it handy for achieving accurate and natural pronunciation.

I. Introduction to letter G in English

In the English alphabet, G is the 7th consonant, with a fairly simple and easy-to-remember pronunciation. Here are some vocabulary examples that include the G sound, which you can use as references!

II. A comprehensive and accurate guide on how to pronounce G In English 

Below are 5 ways to pronounce G that you should be aware of: 

1. G is pronounced as /g/

Letter G is pronounced /g/ when followed by any letter except e, i, y. To pronounce the /g/ sound:

• Step 1: Place the tip of your tongue behind your lower teeth.
• Step 2: Slightly arch the back of your tongue upwards.
• Step 3: Push air out through your breath and pull your tongue back.
• Step 4: When you feel the back of your tongue touch the soft palate, stop pushing air out.
• Step 5: Push air out through your mouth while articulating the /g/ sound.

Examples: 

• Game /ɡeɪm/
• Good /ɡʊd/
• Figure /ˈfɪɡjər/
• Drag /dræɡ/

2. G is pronounced as /ʒ/

G is pronounced as /ʒ/ as follows: 

• Step 1: Place the tip of your tongue near the alveolar ridge just behind your upper front teeth, in the position used to make the /s/ sound.
• Step 2: Vibrate your vocal cords and push air upwards from your lungs out of your mouth.
• Step 3: The tongue tip creates friction with the alveolar ridge as the air passes over it.
• Step 4: When articulating the sound, be sure to keep your lips relaxed and not overly tense.

G is pronounced as /ʒ/ in the following words:

3. G is pronounced as /dʒ/

The letter G is pronounced /dʒ/ when followed by the vowels E, I or Y. To pronounce the /dʒ/ sound:

• Step 1: Place your tongue behind your front teeth and lift the back of your tongue towards the top of your mouth.
• Step 2: Curl the tip of your tongue and place it behind your top front teeth, near the alveolar ridge.
• Step 3: Raise and extend your tongue towards your lips.
• Step 4: Produce the /d/ sound by pushing your tongue out, then hold it in place to articulate the /ʒ/ sound as mentioned in step 2.

Example: 

• Village: /ˈvɪlɪdʒ/ 
• Page: /peɪdʒ/ 
• Age: /eɪdʒ/ 
• Religion: /rɪˈlɪdʒən/

Exception: The letter G standing before e, i, and y is still pronounced as /g/: 

• Get /ɡet/
• Tiger /ˈtaɪɡər/
• Gear /ɡɪr/
• Gift /ɡɪft/
• Gone /ɡɒn/
• Hamburger /ˈhæmbɜː(r)ɡər/

4. G is pronounced as /ŋ/

The letter G is pronounced /ŋ/ when it is a part of the "ng" digraph. /ŋ/ is a nasal consonant produced in the same position as /k/ and /g/, so when pronouncing it, the back of the tongue is raised and touches the soft palate while voicing travels through the nose. For example,

• Sing: /sɪŋ/ 
• Running: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ 
• Song: /sɒŋ/ 
• Singer: /ˈsɪŋə(r)/ 

5. G is silent

This is the last way to pronounce G in English that PREP will introduce you. Letter G is silent when preceding n (in any position of the word). For example:

• Gnash: /næʃ/ 
• Gnaw: /nɔː/ 
• Gnat: /næt/ 

G is silent when preceding n, m (n, m are the final letters of the word). For example: 

• Sign /saɪn/ 
• Design /dɪˈzaɪn/ 
• Designation /ˌdɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən/
• Signature /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/ 
• Paradigmatic /ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk/ 
• Paradigm /ˈpærədaɪm/ 

However, there are still exceptions: 

• Mango /ˈmæŋɡoʊ/
• Singing /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/
• Ringing /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/

III. Exercises on how to pronounce G in English with detailed answers

Below are some exercises on how to differentiate ways of pronouncing G in English: 

1. Exercise 1: Write the pronunciation of the following words

Answers:

2. Exercise 2: Put the following words in the column with the corresponding G pronunciation 

Answers:

3. Exercise 3: Choose the word whose bold part is pronounced differently from the other words 

1. A.general     B. dangerous       C. game        D. engine 
2. A. original    B. hungry            C. guide        D. grocery 
3. A. energy    B. gift                  C. biology      D. grocery 
4. A. glacier    B. glad                 C. given        D. average 
5. A. goal       B. god                  C. grow         D. language 

Answers: 

1. C. game
2. C. guide
3. D. grocery
4. D. average
5. D. language

Above are all detailed instructions on how to pronounce G most completely. Practice every day to have the best pronunciation reflexes in communication and English exam preparation!