RUHN-ing
/ˈɹʌnɪŋ/
running is pronounced RUHN-ing (/ˈɹʌnɪŋ/). Running is the act of moving rapidly on foot, typically at a pace faster than walking. It can describe physical exercise, a sport, or a continuous sequence of activities. The word also functions in phrases like running late or running shoes, and carries idiomatic uses such as running a program or running costs.
Running is the act of moving rapidly on foot, typically at a pace faster than walking. It can describe physical exercise, a sport, or a continuous sequence of activities. The word also functions in phrases like running late or running shoes, and carries idiomatic uses such as running a program or running costs.
"The athlete trained every morning to improve her running times."
"I’m running late, so I’ll grab a quick coffee on the way."
"She bought new running shoes for the marathon."
Pronounce it as RUN-ning with stress on the first syllable: IPA US/UK/AU: US ˈrənɪŋ, UK ˈrʌnɪŋ, AU ˈrʌnɪŋ. Start with a quick, short /r/ followed by a schwa or near-schwa /ə/ in the first syllable, then a clear /n/ and a final /ɪŋ/. In careful speech, you can hear two syllables: /ˈrən.ɪŋ/; in connected speech, it often reduces to /ˈrənɪŋ/ or even /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ depending on accent and pace.
Common mistakes: 1) Reducing the first syllable too much, turning /ˈrən/ toward /ˈrɪn/; 2) Slurring the /ŋ/ into a nasalized /ŋk/ or dropping the final /-ing/; 3) Ignoring the T-merge in rapid speech where /n/ blends with /ɪŋ/. Fix: emphasize /ˈrən/ or /ˈrʌn/ then the /ɪŋ/ clearly; keep the /n/ as a separate alveolar nasal between the two vowels. Practice with word pairs to hear the crisp /n/ before the /ɪŋ/.
US tends to reduce the first vowel to a schwa: /ˈrənɪŋ/. UK often holds a slightly back /ʌ/ in stressed syllable: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ with r-lessness in non-rhotic regions affecting linked speech; Australian is similar to UK but with broader vowel qualities, sometimes closer to /ˈɹʌnɪŋ/ or more centralized /ˈɹənɪŋ/ depending on speaker. Consonants remain alveolar nasal /n/; no rhoticity changes the R sound only in rhotic varieties.
Because of the rapid sequencing of sounds: a tense onset /r/ or /ɹ/ followed by a reduced vowel /ə/ or /ʌ/ and a trailing /ɪŋ/. The transition from the vowel to the alveolar nasal /n/ and then to the velar nasal /ŋ/ creates a tricky two-consonant cluster and a final nasal with a velar articulation. Coarticulation makes the first syllable sound rushed; tongue position shifts and controlled breath support are essential.
The first syllable often reduces to a short schwa; many speakers blend /ə/ toward a near-closed central vowel in rapid speech. Ensure the /n/ remains clearly articulated before the /ŋ/; avoid turning it into a /d/ or /l/ sound. Also, watch for a potential vowel shift in some dialects where /ɪ/ in the second syllable can shift toward a more centralized /ɪ/ as in a quicker, clipped pronunciation.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "running"!
The word running comes from the Old English runnian, from the Proto-Germanic runtōną (run), with cognates in Dutch rennen and German rennen. It evolved from the verb run, which itself traces to the Proto-Indo-European root reu- meaning to flow, move swiftly, or leap. In Middle English, running began to take on continuous-action senses, aligning with phrases like “running after” or “running about.” By Early Modern English, running was established as a gerund or present participle form used to denote ongoing action as well as the noun referring to the activity itself. The distinction between “to run” (verb) and “running” (gerund/participle) is foundational in English morphology, with “running” expanding into compound usages (running a business, running software) that reflect ongoing processes or management. First known uses appear in Anglo-Norman and Middle English texts, with robust attestations by the 14th–16th centuries as sport and movement terminology became more codified in literature and law." ,
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "running" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "running" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "running" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "running"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
