'Rung' is a step on a ladder or past participle of 'ring'; 'wrung' is the past participle of 'wring' (to twist).
Noun/verb (past participle). A horizontal step of a ladder or climbing frame. Also: past participle of 'ring': to make a bell sound. Ring, rang, rung.
She climbed to the top rung of the corporate ladder within eight years.
The bell has rung three times — the meeting should have started already.
I have rung the client twice today and left voicemails both times.
Verb (past participle). Past participle of 'wring': to twist or squeeze to remove liquid. Wring, wrung, wrung.
She wrung the wet towel out over the sink before hanging it up.
The news had wrung every last drop of energy from the team.
She wrung her hands nervously while waiting for the results.
Common mistake
"She has wrung the bell" when meaning rang (correct: rung the bell). Or "He rung out the wet cloth" when meaning twisted (correct: wrung out the cloth).
Trick to remember it
'Rung' comes from 'ring' — the bell rung, the phone rang, climb the rung. 'Wrung' comes from 'wring' — both start with silent W, both involve twisting: wring the cloth, wrung the hands.
Quick rule
Is it the ladder step or past participle of ring? 'Rung'. Is it the past participle of wring/twist? 'Wrung'.
Did you know?
'Climbing the corporate ladder' makes every promotion a 'rung' — you move up one rung at a time. The metaphor assumes a linear, vertical path to success, which modern organisational thinkers challenge with 'lattice' or 'jungle gym' alternatives. 'Wrung' appears in emotional idioms: 'wrung his heart' (deeply affected), 'wrung dry' (exhausted of everything), 'wrung out' (emotionally drained) — all based on the image of squeezing every last drop from something.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She _____ out the swimming costume over the drain before packing it.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Has anyone _____ the client yet to confirm the meeting time?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it the ladder step or past participle of ring? 'Rung'. Is it the past participle of wring/twist? 'Wrung'.
"She has wrung the bell" when meaning rang (correct: rung the bell). Or "He rung out the wet cloth" when meaning twisted (correct: wrung out the cloth).
'Rung' comes from 'ring' — the bell rung, the phone rang, climb the rung. 'Wrung' comes from 'wring' — both start with silent W, both involve twisting: wring the cloth, wrung the hands.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy