drank

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "drank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the past action of consuming a liquid. Example: "Yesterday, I drank a whole bottle of water after my workout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a time that I drank to relax and have fun.

The Guardian - Opinion

It didn't help when I drank, and behaved as I behaved.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have drank here, played here, cried here, loved here," said Pink.

The Guardian

A few damp locals drank brandies at the counter.

The Guardian - Travel

Afterwards, we drank and chatted and laughed into the small hours before making our way to the BBC's studio on Broadway.

The Guardian - Sport

Women who drank two glasses compared with one were 21% more likely to die during the study period, and this rose to 93% for three or more glasses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I know two people who were chronic alcoholics – bottle of gin for breakfast types – who hadn't drank for 13 and 11 years.

The Guardian

I eat alone in expensive restaurants as I once drank alone in cheap pubs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If I was a bad student and hung out in the courtyard, drank and swore, it would be better [for her] than me being who I am now," he said.

The Guardian

How, then, could it possibly be of benefit to protect tomorrow's children by taking a retrospective approach to the problem of FAS, criminalising women who have delivered a baby after a pregnancy in which they drank to excess, and possibly even those who have yet to give birth?

The Guardian - Opinion

And I, who never drank alcohol when I played, loved it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about past events, ensure that you use "drank" as the simple past tense of "drink". Avoid using it in perfect tenses, where "drunk" is appropriate (e.g., "He had drunk the entire bottle.").

Common error

A common mistake is using "drunk" as the simple past tense. Remember, "drunk" is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "had drunk") or as an adjective (e.g., "He was drunk"), while "drank" is the correct simple past tense form.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drank" is to indicate a completed action of consuming a liquid or beverage in the past. This is the simple past tense form of the verb "drink". Ludwig confirms this is a standard usage, supported by numerous examples of its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "drank" is the simple past tense of the verb "drink", used to describe the act of consuming a liquid in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. A common error is confusing "drank" with the past participle "drunk". When aiming for semantic alternatives, "consumed", "sipped", and "imbibed" can be used depending on the specific context. To maintain grammatical accuracy, remember that "drank" should be used for simple past actions, while "drunk" is reserved for perfect tenses or as an adjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed

A more formal and general term for taking something into the body, not limited to liquids.

had a drink

A more general way to refer to drinking, without specifying the manner.

sipped

Implies taking small mouthfuls, often to savor the drink.

imbibed

A formal term suggesting a deliberate or ritualistic act of drinking.

took a sip

Indicates a small amount was consumed.

gulped

Suggests drinking quickly and in large amounts, often out of thirst or eagerness.

quaffed

Means to drink heartily and with enjoyment.

swigged

Implies taking a large swallow directly from a container.

knocked back

Slang for drinking something quickly, usually an alcoholic beverage.

lapped up

Suggests drinking like an animal, often used figuratively.

FAQs

How do I use "drank" in a sentence?

"Drank" is the past tense of "drink" and is used to describe the act of consuming a liquid in the past. For example, "She drank water after her run", or "They drank coffee this morning".

What is the difference between "drank" and "drunk"?

"Drank" is the simple past tense of "drink", while "drunk" is the past participle. You would say "I "drank" the juice" but "I have "drunk" the juice before".

What can I say instead of "drank"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "consumed", "sipped", or "imbibed".

Is it ever correct to say "drinked" instead of "drank"?

No, "drinked" is not a correct form. The correct past tense of "drink" is ""drank"".