Quick answer
Ring is a circle or a band, and also what a bell does; wring means to twist and squeeze, as with a wet towel. Memory hook: the silent "w" in wring is a twist in the word itself.
The core difference
Ring is a circle or a sound, while wring means to twist or squeeze something.
- ring — a circular band or shape, or to sound like a bell: He proposed with a diamond ring.
- wring — to twist and squeeze: She wrung out the wet towel over the sink.
How to tell them apart
Both words sound the same because the "w" in wring is silent. Think of wringing as a twisting action: the leading "w" is silent, but it marks the twist.
The mix-up appears in the phrase wring your hands, which is often written as "ring your hands". Since it describes twisting and clasping your hands from worry, it needs wring. The past form is wrung: He wrung his hands nervously while waiting for the results.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ring your hands or wring your hands?
It is wring your hands. The phrase describes twisting your hands together from anxiety.
What is the past tense of wring?
It is wrung, as in: She wrung out the wet towel.
Can ring mean to phone someone?
Yes, in British English. For example: I will ring you later to confirm the plan.
