in tongues
Speaking unknown or spiritual languages
This fixed expression is mainly used in religious contexts.
Some worshippers prayed in tongues.
"in tongue" or "of tongue"?
English uses a few fixed expressions with tongue. In tongue is rare outside special contexts, while of tongue appears in established phrases.
Quick answer
Common uses with tongue
Use in tongues for speaking in unknown or spiritual languages. Use phrases such as tip of the tongue or mother tongue. In tongue and of tongue are not common standalone combinations.
They were speaking in tongues during the ceremony.
The word is on the tip of my tongue.
Spanish is her mother tongue.
The word is on the tip of my tongue.
Spanish is her mother tongue.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
tip of the tongue
Remembering something almost recalled
Use this idiom when you nearly remember a word or name.
His name is on the tip of my tongue.
mother tongue
Talking about a native language
Mother tongue means a person's first language.
Arabic is her mother tongue.
tongue of + noun
Literary or descriptive uses
Tongue of appears in poetic or descriptive expressions.
a tongue of flame
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in tongue
The phrase is uncommon in standard English.
generally not used as a fixed expression
of tongue
The phrase alone is uncommon.
usually appears inside longer expressions
in tongues
They prayed in tongues.
speaking unknown or spiritual languages
tip of the tongue
The answer was on the tip of my tongue.
almost remembered
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using in tongue instead of in tongues
The established expression uses the plural tongues.
✕ They spoke in tongue. ✓ They spoke in tongues.Using of tongue as a standalone phrase
Of tongue normally belongs to a larger expression.
✕ The sound was of tongue. ✓ The sound came from his tongue.Confusing tongue and language
Tongue is more literary or idiomatic than language.
✕ English is my tongue language. ✓ English is my mother tongue.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The answer is on the ___ of my tongue.
2. They prayed ___ tongues during the service.
3. French is her mother ___.
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Frequently asked questions
Is in tongue correct English?
Not usually. The common expression is in tongues.
What does tip of the tongue mean?
It means you almost remember a word or name but cannot say it yet.
Is tongue a formal word for language?
It can be literary or old-fashioned in that meaning, especially in phrases like mother tongue.
Related preposition guides
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