"Hanged" is used only for executions by hanging; "hung" is the past tense for everything else.
Simple past and past participle of "hang" when referring to execution by hanging. Very specific and limited use.
The convicted murderer was hanged at dawn, in accordance with the sentence.
Three men were hanged for the crime in the town square during the colonial era.
He was hanged, not shot — the historical record is very specific on this point.
Simple past and past participle of "hang" for ALL other uses: hanging clothes, pictures, decorations, lights, a door, etc.
She hung her coat on the hook by the door and sat down.
They hung colorful lights all around the garden for the party.
The painting had hung in that spot for over fifty years when they finally moved it.
Common mistake
"Pictures are hung" (correct). "A man was hung" (incorrect if referring to an execution: should be "hanged"). In everyday practice, nobody uses "hanged" for anything other than historical capital punishment. For everything else — pictures, clothes, doors, lamps — always "hung".
Trick to remember it
The rule is almost absurdly specific: use "hanged" ONLY in the context of execution by hanging. For absolutely everything else, use "hung". "Hanged" is one of the few irregular English verbs that has a regular form reserved for just one very specific meaning.
Quick rule
Hanged = executions by hanging only. Hung = everything else (pictures, clothes, lights, doors, etc.).
Did you know?
The distinction between "hanged" and "hung" dates to the 16th century, when English courts were very precise in drafting execution sentences. The form "hanged" became codified in legal language to distinguish human execution from simply suspending objects. Outside of legal and historical contexts, the distinction is largely lost in modern colloquial English.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She _____ the new artwork in the living room right above the fireplace.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The spy was captured and _____ in the public square as a warning to others.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Hanged = executions by hanging only. Hung = everything else (pictures, clothes, lights, doors, etc.).
"Pictures are hung" (correct). "A man was hung" (incorrect if referring to an execution: should be "hanged"). In everyday practice, nobody uses "hanged" for anything other than historical capital punishment. For everything else — pictures, clothes, doors, lamps — always "hung".
The rule is almost absurdly specific: use "hanged" ONLY in the context of execution by hanging. For absolutely everything else, use "hung". "Hanged" is one of the few irregular English verbs that has a regular form reserved for just one very specific meaning.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy