SKAN-ing
/ˈskænɪŋ/
scanning is pronounced SKAN-ing (/ˈskænɪŋ/). Scanning refers to the act of scanning or skimming text or data for specific information, or to the process of examining something thoroughly by looking over it quickly and methodically. In linguistics, it can describe the rapid, continuous visual search movement; in practical use, it often implies systematic observation or inspection. The term is commonly used in research, data analysis, and everyday reading tasks.
Scanning refers to the act of scanning or skimming text or data for specific information, or to the process of examining something thoroughly by looking over it quickly and methodically. In linguistics, it can describe the rapid, continuous visual search movement; in practical use, it often implies systematic observation or inspection. The term is commonly used in research, data analysis, and everyday reading tasks.
- Misplacing the primary stress or making it nearly second-syllable; ensure you emphasize the first syllable /ˈskæ/. - Elongating the second syllable; practice a short, quick /nɪŋ/ rather than /nɪŋg/ or /nɪŋŋ/. - Reducing the /æ/ to a neutral vowel; keep the crisp /æ/ as in cat. - Final /ŋ/ approximation is common; ensure full velar closure and nasal release without adding an extra vowel. - In connected speech, avoid inserting a schwa before /ŋ/; maintain the tight sequence /æ nɪŋ/.
"She spent the afternoon scanning through the legal documents for any discrepancies."
"The security team was scanning the crowd for suspicious behavior."
"Researchers were scanning the dataset to identify outliers and anomalies."
Pronounce as /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ for US and UK; stress on the first syllable. Begin with the short æ as in 'cat', then /nɪŋ/ with a clear nasal finale. In careful speech you’ll hear the two-syllable rhythm: SKAN-ning. For Australian speakers, the vowels align with /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ as well, with a slightly flatter intonation on the second syllable in some regional varieties. Audio examples: imagine saying 'scat-ting' quickly but with the nasal 'ning' ending.
Common errors: 1) Stretched second syllable to 'SCAN-ning' instead of shortening; keep /æ/ in first syllable and avoid a slower second syllable. 2) Flattening the /æ/ to /e/ or /a/ in casual speech; maintain /æ/ as in 'cat'. 3) Dropping the final -ing to /ˈskænɪn/; keep the final /ŋ/ nasal. Practice tip: say ‘scan’ + ‘ning’ with a quick transition and avoid voicing omission on the final consonants.
US: /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/, rhotic context; clear /æ/ and final /ŋ/. UK: /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ with slightly more clipped final syllable in some dialects; non-rhotic in older accents may still have postvocalic effects on connected speech. AU: /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ similar to US, but vowel length and intonation may be flatter. Core is first-syllable stress; vowel ɪ in the second syllable remains short. In all, the key is maintaining /æ/ in the first vowel and /ŋ/ at the end, with minimal diphthongization in casual speech.
Two main challenges: the diphthong-free /æ/ in the first vowel sits between a tight front vowel and a more open central one in some speakers, and the final /ŋ/ requires full velar nasal closure with steady airflow, not a nasalized /n/. The transition from /æ/ to /n/ should be quick, with no extra schwa. For non-native speakers, practice the sequence /æ/→/n/ without inserting an extra vowel. Attention to the tongue tip and jaw position helps: keep the tongue low for /æ/ and push the tip just behind the upper teeth for /n/.
Yes. The primary stress on the first syllable is critical, so the vowel in /skæ/ should be crisp and short, not elongated. The second syllable /nɪŋ/ should be rapid and compact, with the velar nasal /ŋ/ clearly released into the following word if in connected speech. Avoid a weak middle vowel or reducing /æ/ to a schwa. In connected speech, you’ll often hear the word as a quick, two-beat unit: SKAN-ning, with a brisk transition.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "scanning"!
US: pronounced with clear /æ/ and rhotic linking context; UK: slightly more clipped second syllable and potential non-rhoticity in some speakers but most standard British variants retain the /r/ silent; AU: /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ often with flatter intonation and more pronounced final nasal rhythm. IPA references: /ˈskæ.nɪŋ/ across varieties; consider rhotic/non-rhotic influences on surrounding words. Vowel length tends to be shorter in UK and AU; US often with a slightly longer /æ/ before /nɪŋ/ in rapid speech. In all variants, maintain the initial stressed /æ/ and nasal final /ŋ/.
Scanning stems from the verb scan, which originated in late 14th-century Middle English as scansen, related to Old French escanner meaning 'to strip or peel off.' The root trace is Latin scandere 'to climb, mount, ascend,' via Germanic languages where sense extended to examining by moving eyes over something. In English, scan acquired meanings related to surveying or measuring by line or stroke, then expanded to reading or inspecting written material, imagery, or waves. The term became common in print and news media in the 19th and 20th centuries as technology enabled rapid, systematic inspection (e.g., scanning documents, scans of medical images). Modern usage spans computing (scanning for viruses, barcode scanning), medical imaging, and data analysis, while retaining the core sense of quick, careful, methodical examination. First known written use is attested in mid-19th century scientific contexts, with broader everyday usage rising in the 20th century as literacy and digital scanning technologies proliferated.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "scanning" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "scanning" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "scanning" 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 "scanning"
-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.
See how this word is used in our articles
