Grammar choices
Hanged vs. Hung
Hanged is the past tense of hang used only for executing a person by hanging, mostly in history or legal writing. Hung is the past tense for everything else: we hung pictures, lights and laundry.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hanged | verb | past tense and past participle of hang, used only for putting a person to death with a rope |
| hung | verb | past tense and past participle of hang for objects, clothes, pictures and most other uses |
Hanged
verb: past tense and past participle of hang, used only for putting a person to death with a rope
- According to the town records, the outlaw was hanged in 1872.
- 'Well, I'll be hanged,' Grandpa said when he saw the size of the pumpkin.
Hung
verb: past tense and past participle of hang for objects, clothes, pictures and most other uses
- We hung the wet towels on the line to dry.
- A big map of the city hung above her desk.
How to remember the difference
Pictures are hung; people were hanged. If it is an object, hung is always right.
Good to know
Many speakers use hung for people too, and some dictionaries record it, but careful writing keeps hanged for executions. Hanged also appears in the old exclamation of surprise, I'll be hanged.
Spot the mistake
Noah
hangedhung his jacket on the hook by the door.Correct: Noah hung his jacket on the hook by the door.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Grace the holiday lights along the porch railing.
Answer: hung. The lights are objects, so the past tense is hung.
2. Old court records say the famous pirate was in 1718.
Answer: hanged. This refers to putting a person to death, the one case where hanged is used.