Hung vs. Hanged
Hung is the usual past form of hang in most senses; hanged is used especially for execution by hanging. The guide keeps tense, participle, regional, and sense boundaries explicit rather than reducing the pair to a blanket substitution rule.
Use “hung” for most senses of “hang.” Use “hanged” when referring to a person being executed by hanging.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| ordinary past/past participle senses of hang | hung | Use “hung” for most meanings. |
| execution of a person by hanging | hanged | Use “hanged” for the execution sense. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does the sentence refer to a person being executed by hanging?
If yes: Use “hanged.”
If no: Use “hung” for the ordinary senses such as suspending or being suspended.
Caveat: The “hanged” distinction is semantic and conventional; “hung” remains the normal form for the many non-execution senses of “hang.”
Examples
She hung the picture on the wall.
The ordinary past tense of “hang” is “hung.”
The coats were hung near the door.
The ordinary participle is “hung.”
The historical account says the prisoner was hanged.
The execution sense conventionally uses “hanged.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “hung” for most senses of “hang.” Use “hanged” when referring to a person being executed by hanging.
Usage Boundary
Choose the form that matches tense, participle role, meaning, region, or lexicalized use; do not treat the pair as freely interchangeable in every sentence.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Hang — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Hung is the usual past form of hang in most senses; hanged is used especially for execution by hanging.