The /k/ sound is spelled with <c>, <ck>, <ch> in choleric, and the cluster /ks/ is spelled with <x> in six. The /ŋ/ sound is spelled <ng>. The contrast can only occur finally. A number of the pairs are made from an -ic adjective and an –ing verb form, such as basic/basing.
The contrast is between a voiceless velar stop and a voiced velar nasal continuant. It does not cause many listening problems.
The program picked out two pairs, musically/musingly and topically/toppingly, in which the first item might be given three syllable or four, so these are of doubtful status. Other interesting pairs include:
choleric collaring
seasick ceasing
The mean density value is 0.8%. The list makes 69 semantic distinctions, a loading of 58%.
amuck among axed angst back bang backing banging backed banged backs bangs backer banger backers bangers basic basing boric boring brick bring bricking bringing bricks brings buck bung bucking bunging bucks bungs bucked bunged choleric collaring civic sieving clack clang clacks clangs clacking clanging clacked clanged click cling clicking clinging clicks clings cluck clung conic conning cubic cubing cyclic cycling duck dung epic Epping flick fling flicking flinging flicks flings formic forming hack hang hacking hanging hacks hangs hacked hanged Hawick hawing kick king kicks kings laic laying lick ling lock long locking longing locks longs locked longed logic lodging luck lung music musing musically musingly mystic misting optic opting pack pang packs pangs panic panning physic fizzing pick ping picking pinging picks pings picked pinged rack rang rick ring ricking ringing ricks rings rock wrong rocking wronging rocks wrongs rocked wronged ruck rung rucks rungs rustic rusting sack sang seasick ceasing sick sing sicking singing six sings slack slang slacking slanging slacks slangs slacked slanged slick sling slicks slings slicker slinger slickers slingers sock song socks songs stick sting sticking stinging sticks stings sticker stinger stickers stingers stoic stowing struck strung suck sung tack tang tacky tangy tackier tangier tackiest tangiest tannic tanning thick thing tick ting ticking tinging ticks tings ticked tinged topic topping topically toppingly trick Tring tuck tongue tucks tongues tunic tuning wax whangs whack whang whacking whanging whacks whangs wick wing wicks wings wicker winger
Credit: John Higgins