# sprain vs sprang

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### sprain
*verb · IPA /spɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #35,092*
To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation

### sprang
*verb · IPA /ˈspɹæŋ/ · frequency rank #24,913*
simple past of spring

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-02.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sprain-vs-sprang