designed to sink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to sink" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an object or system that has been intentionally created or engineered to submerge or fail. Example: "The ship was designed to sink in the event of an emergency to prevent it from being captured by enemy forces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The New Yorker, January 21 , 1950 P. 24The writer recalls the trouble he had during the war, in the Navy, as skipper of The Flying Teakettle, officially designated PC-452, a small warship designed to sink submarines.

The New Yorker

By John W. Hazard The New Yorker, January 21 , 1950 P. 24The writer recalls the trouble he had during the war, in the Navy, as skipper of The Flying Teakettle, officially designated PC-452, a small warship designed to sink submarines.

The New Yorker

The vessel was designed to sink symmetrically.

The New York Times

THE West has some formidable missiles designed to sink warships.

The Economist

Hendy told Black the emails "were designed to sink [Frost] without a trace", prompting Black to reply: "No, not at all".

The Guardian

Inviting her to Baiae, he had her set forth on the Bay of Naples in a boat designed to sink, but she swam ashore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The LT1118 specialized linear regulator, designed to source or sink current as necessary to keep its output in regulation, and the LTC1504 synchronized switching regulator are used in the examples given.

Analog Circuit Design Volume 3: Design Note Collection

A relevance-based approach was designed to position sinks closer to source nodes with higher sensing relevance, since they are expected to transmit more data packets.

Future Generation Computer Systems

To test the viability of the proposed framework and the quality of data it produces, a game is designed to assess the sunk cost effect in engineers and results are compared to those found in the literature.

Procedia Computer Science

The toilet is too high (our bodies were designed to squat), the sink is too low and almost useless; the shower is a deathtrap (an American dies every day from bath or shower accidents).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The 10 were the first wave of what is anticipated to be a strong US presence at the Paris meeting, designed to counter Republican attempts to sink Obama's climate plan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intended function of equipment or systems, ensure the phrase "designed to sink" accurately conveys the purpose, especially in contexts where controlled submersion is critical (e.g., marine applications).

Common error

Avoid using "designed to sink" when you mean "prone to sinking". The former implies intentionality in the design, while the latter suggests a flaw or vulnerability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to sink" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a passive construction. It describes the intended purpose or function of something, indicating that it was intentionally created or modified to submerge. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designed to sink" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase indicating an intentional purpose of submersion. As Ludwig AI points out, it is appropriate to describe something that has been intentionally created or engineered to submerge or fail. The usage is relatively uncommon. Its application spans across diverse contexts including news media, science, and encyclopedias. When employing the phrase, be mindful of its implications of intentionality to avoid misrepresenting accidental or unintended sinking. Alternative phrasing such as "engineered for submersion" may better suit formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended for sinking

Focuses on the intention behind the design, emphasizing the purpose of causing something to sink.

engineered for submersion

Highlights the engineering aspect, specifically for the purpose of submersion.

built to submerge

Emphasizes the construction aspect with the aim of causing submersion.

created to founder

Focuses on the intended outcome of failing or sinking, often in a nautical context.

constructed to go under

A more informal way to express the idea of something being built to sink.

made to be submerged

Passively emphasizes the intended state of being underwater.

developed for underwater use (with inherent risk)

While not directly implying sinking, it suggests a system developed with a certain tolerance to be underwater.

outfitted to be sunk

Suggests preparation and fitting for the purpose of sinking, potentially deliberately.

rigged to fail

Implies a deliberate setup for failure, which could result in sinking in certain contexts.

programmed to plummet

Suggests an automated or planned rapid descent, applicable in both literal and figurative scenarios.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to sink" in a sentence?

You can use "designed to sink" to describe something intentionally made to submerge, such as "The ship was "designed to sink" in the event of a critical system failure".

What's a more formal alternative to "designed to sink"?

A more formal alternative would be "engineered for submersion", which emphasizes the technical aspect of the design.

Is it correct to say "the ship was designed to sink"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct if the ship was intentionally designed with features that allow it to sink under specific circumstances.

What's the difference between "designed to sink" and "prone to sinking"?

"Designed to sink" implies a deliberate feature, while "prone to sinking" suggests a vulnerability or inherent weakness causing it to be likely to sink.