Learn How to Pronounce tongs

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

tongs

Definition:

(nou) any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below

Phonetic Transcription:

tɒŋz

Examples:

The tongs are held in the palm of a hand in a relaxed pen grasp.

The workpiece is transported to and from the forge using tongs.

To open and close the tongs of the grapple, two cables are used.

Learn more about:
tongs

Related Words:

use

grasp

How to perfect your pronunciation of: tongs

Learn Individual Sounds

Break tongs down into individual sounds such as tɒŋz. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say tongs in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say tongs in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with tongs.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of tongs pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Many people mispronounce "tongs" by using a long vowel sound, saying /tɔːŋz/ instead of the correct /tɒŋz/ (UK) or /tɑŋz/ (US). Tip: Focus on the short "o" sound in "tongs".
Ignoring the "ng" sound: Some speakers might pronounce "tongs" as if it ends with a "g", saying /tɔŋg/ instead of /tɔŋz/ (UK) or /tɑŋz/ (US). Tip: Remember that "ng" produces a nasal sound, not a hard "g".
Overemphasizing the final "s": A common mistake is to stress the "s" too much, leading to a pronunciation like /tɔŋs/ instead of /tɔŋz/ (UK) or /tɑŋz/ (US). Tip: Keep the "s" soft and blend it with the "ng" sound.
Incorrect syllable stress: Some learners may incorrectly stress the first syllable, saying "TONGS" instead of the correct pronunciation where the stress is on the single syllable. Tip: "Tongs" is a one-syllable word; keep it smooth and fluid.
Confusing with similar words: People sometimes confuse "tongs" with "tongue", leading to mispronunciation. "Tongue" is pronounced /tʌŋ/ (UK) or /tʌŋ/ (US) without the "s" sound. Tip: Practice distinguishing these words by focusing on their endings.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "tongs" in American English?

In American English, "tongs" is pronounced as /tɔŋz/ with the stress on the single syllable. The "o" sounds like the "aw" in "saw," and the "ng" is pronounced as a nasal sound, similar to the ending of "song."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "tongs" between British and American English?

The pronunciation of "tongs" is generally the same in both British and American English, pronounced as /tɒŋz/ in UK English. The main difference is in the vowel sound; the UK pronunciation has a more open "o" sound compared to the American pronunciation.

What is the syllable structure of the word "tongs"?

The word "tongs" has one syllable, pronounced as /tɔŋz/ in American English and /tɒŋz/ in British English. This means it is a monosyllabic word, making it easy to say and recognize in conversation.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "tongs"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "tongs" as /tɔŋs/ by omitting the "z" sound at the end. It's important to include the "z" to accurately reflect the correct pronunciation, which is /tɔŋz/ in American English.