Rung vs. Rang
For the verb “ring,” “rang” is the simple past form and “rung” is the past participle. Cambridge gives the paradigm “ring — rang — rung,” so auxiliary constructions such as “has rung” use the participle rather than “rang.”
Use “rang” for simple past: “The phone rang.” Use “rung” after have/has/had: “The phone has rung.” “Rung” is also a noun for a ladder step.
Key details
Further guidance
Noun Boundary
“Rung” also has a separate noun use for a step or level, so not every occurrence of “rung” is a form of the verb “ring.”
Participle
Use “rung” with perfect auxiliaries such as “has,” “have,” or “had”: “They had rung before noon.”
Simple Past
Use “rang” when the past-tense verb stands on its own: “She rang the bell.”
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.
- Ring — meaning and verb forms (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Dictionary verb paradigm showing ring — rang — rung