-in'

English

Alternative forms

• -in

Etymology

Alternate pronunciation of -ing with /n/ instead of /ŋ/. It is derived from two sources:

• the Old English present participle suffix -ende;
• the Old English verbal noun suffix -ung/-ing.

The two Old English suffixes became confused in Modern English, due at least partly to the practice of spelling them both as -ing.

Suffix

-in'

1. (Mid-Ulster, colloquial, pronunciation spelling) Alternative form of -ing
   • 1946, Elizabeth Metzger Howard, Before the Sun Goes Down, page 31:

     "Jesus Christ! Was my folks refined. My mam she wouldn't think-a lettin' us young'uns call a pee pot a pee pot. A chamber's what she called it... And by God! Us young'uns had ter call the pee pot a chamber or git our God damn necks wrang."

Usage notes

• In speech, the difference between the pronunciations /ɪŋ/ and /ɪn/ is usually one of formality. Most speakers tend to use /ɪŋ/ in more formal situations and /ɪn/ in less formal situations. However, some speakers can either use mainly /ɪŋ/ or mainly /ɪn/ regardless of the situation.
• In writing, both the /ɪŋ/ and the /ɪn/ pronunciations are usually spelled -ing. When writers use -in', as in makin', they are emphasizing the informality of the situation (or attempting, however accurately, to show the social status of the speaker).
• The pronunciation is more common for present participles and less common for verbal nouns.

Translations

See also

• -ed
• -'d

Anagrams

• N.I., NI, ni

Portuguese

Pronunciation

Suffix

-in'

1. (poetic) Nonstandard form of -inho.

Related terms

• -im, -in

Scots

Suffix

-in'

1. Alternative form of -in (“ing”)