-ING Reduction
When -ing becomes -in'
What is it?
In casual American English, the -ing ending is often pronounced as -in [ɪn] instead of [ɪŋ]. The "g" sound drops and the nasal changes from velar (back of mouth) to alveolar (front).
going
→
/ɡoʊɪŋ/
→
[ɡoʊɪn]
This is sometimes written as goin' or runnin' in informal writing.
When does it happen?
-ING reduction is common in:
- Casual conversation — everyday speech between friends
- Fast speech — when speaking quickly
- Regional dialects — more common in some regions
**Note:** This is a casual/informal pronunciation. In formal speech, job interviews, or presentations, speakers typically use the full [ɪŋ] sound.
Examples
Common verbs
Common phrases
What are you doin'?
I'm just sayin'
Keep on movin'
Nothing's happenin'
Important distinction
Don't confuse -ing words with words that end in -ing as part of the root:
- sing, ring, king — these don't reduce (they're not the -ing suffix)
- singing, ringing — these CAN reduce ("singin'", "ringin'")