As I read concert reports, I notice frequent confusion about where and how to use these versions of the word “sing.”
Sang
- “The choir sang the piece.”
- “The women sang with beautiful voices.
- “The men sang together.”
- “We all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her.”
Sung
- “I have sung that song”
- “The main melody was sung by sopranos.”
- “The national anthem is usually sung before the game starts.”
- “I had not sung that song before.”
INCORRECT (and alternatives)
- I sung the melody. (Actually, you sang the melody.)
- She sung a song. (She sang a song.)
- I have sang that tune. (You have sung that tune OR you sang that tune.)
- The melody was sang by the sopranos. (The melody was sung by the sopranos OR the sopranos sang the melody.)
(Note: This isn’t the whole story. For example, “A song sung too slowly might make me sleepy.”)
Other posts about common writing issues:
Dan Mitchell 