SWEE-ping
/ˈswipɪŋ/
sweeping is pronounced SWEE-ping (/ˈswipɪŋ/). Sweeping is the act of removing or brushing away particles with a wide, continuous motion. It can describe a broad, comprehensive range (sweeping reforms) or a physical action (a sweeping gesture). The term conveys thoroughness and expansiveness, often implying scale or duration beyond a single stroke. In pronunciation, the word stresses the first syllable and features a clear, long “ee” vowel followed by a soft “p” and an -ing ending.
Sweeping is the act of removing or brushing away particles with a wide, continuous motion. It can describe a broad, comprehensive range (sweeping reforms) or a physical action (a sweeping gesture). The term conveys thoroughness and expansiveness, often implying scale or duration beyond a single stroke. In pronunciation, the word stresses the first syllable and features a clear, long “ee” vowel followed by a soft “p” and an -ing ending.
- You may over-compress the first syllable, turning /ˈswiː/ into a shorter /swi/; keep the length on /iː/ for a full, clear onset. - Another frequent error is reducing the final /ŋ/ to an /n/ or dropping the nasal completely in rapid speech; practice by tapping the nasal sound clearly before finishing. - Some learners start with a hard /p/ release; aim for a light, controlled /p/ with minimal air release to avoid an extra puff. - Overall, avoid merging /wiː/ into a diphthong; keep /iː/ steady before /pɪŋ/.
"The janitor was sweeping the hallway after lunch."
"The committee approved sweeping changes to the policy."
"Her sweeping motion with the broom made the dust rise."
Pronounce it as /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/. The first syllable carries primary stress. The long /iː/ in “swee-” is held, the second syllable is a quick /pɪŋ/ with a light, unreleased /ŋ/. In careful speech, separate the syllables clearly: SWE-ee-ping; in fast speech, you may hear a slight reduction to /ˈswiːpɪŋ/. For audio reference, listen to native speakers pronouncing “sweeping” in phrases like “sweeping changes.”
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing the stress by saying /ˈswiːpɪŋ/ with the second syllable stressed; keep it on the first syllable: /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/. (2) Shortening the /iː/ to a schwa before -ing or mispronouncing the /ŋ/ by using a /n/ or /ŋk/ cluster. Tip: emphasize the long /iː/ and finish with a clean /ŋ/. Practice with slow drills: “SWEET-ping” but with correct /p/ onset and nasal /ŋ/ ending.
- US/UK/AU share /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/ generally, with small vowel quality shifts. US speakers may have a slightly higher, tenser /iː/ and crisper /p/. UK speakers can have a slightly shorter /iː/ and a more glottal-like buildup in rapid speech. Australian English often shows a broader vowel quality in /iː/ and a quicker transition from /iː/ to /pɪŋ/. In all, rhotics are typically non-rhotic in some UK contexts but rhotic in many US speech patterns; this mostly affects surrounding syllables, not the core /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/.
The challenge lies in maintaining the long /iː/ quality while transitioning smoothly to a voiceless /p/ and the final /ŋ/. The /p/ is unreleased in rapid speech, which can blur the boundary between syllables. Also, the /ŋ/ requires a velar nasal closure without an accompanying /g/ or /k/ release, which some speakers find tricky after /p/. Mindful tongue position: high front tongue for /iː/, stops ready for /p/, soft palate closure for /ŋ/.
The word’s key vowel is a long /iː/ in stressed position, followed by a short /ɪ/ in the syllable shift to /pɪŋ/. The sequence /iː.pɪ/ creates an unusual clarity between the long vowel and the alveolar /p/. Emphasize the first syllable’s peak, then release into the quick /pɪŋ/. The combination of a long vowel and a short, clipped ending makes the cadence distinctive for the word.
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- US: keep the /iː/ bright and sustained; clear /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/ with slight breathing after the first syllable. - UK: may feature a slightly shorter /iː/ and more clipped rhythm; practice with steady posture and a clearer /p/ release. - AU: tends to have a broader, more open vowel in /iː/ and faster transitions; keep the first vowel spacious but precise. - IPA cues: US /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/, UK /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/, AU /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/. - Focus on non-rhoticity in surrounding context when speaking casually in UK contexts; keep core /ˈswiː.pɪŋ/ intact.
Sweeping comes from the verb sweep, from Old English swepan, related to Dutch swepen and German schwemmen. The sense evolution centers on a broad motion. Originally, sweep referred to the act of dragging something with a broad, continuous stroke. As English expanded, sweeping took on metaphorical uses—describing large-scale changes or comprehensive coverage, not just physical action. By Middle English, the prefix -ing formed a gerund/participle, giving “sweeping” as both a present participle and an adjective. Over time, sweeping retained its imagery of breadth and duration, often paired with nouns like reform, change, or a sweeping gesture. First known uses are tied to physical action (sweep the floor) and later to figurative breadth (sweeping changes) in religious, political, and literary contexts. By the 20th century, sweeping had become a common descriptor in both everyday tasks and abstract policy discussions, retaining its sense of grand scope while remaining anchored to its root action of a wide, smooth motion.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "sweeping" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "sweeping"
-ing sounds
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