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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
got shrunk
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'got shrunk' is not correct to use in written English.
To make this sentence correct, you would need to use the correct verb tense, which is 'shrank.' For example, you could say, "The shirt I bought last week shrank in the dryer."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
"Has it got shrunk?" "No, it was always like this".
News & Media
From the age of seven, Napravnik spent her weekends riding on the mid-Atlantic pony racing circuit – horseracing that got shrunk in the wash.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
After the show ended, van Herpen climbed into a bag and got shrink-wrapped, too.
News & Media
So guess what gets shrunk?
News & Media
As for Paul, you can't help feeling that, ground down as he was, he didn't need to get shrunk in the first place.
News & Media
Who's ready to learn all about the human body's circulatory system by getting shrunk down and venturing inside one of your classmates?
News & Media
This doesn't happen with developer packages, where the construction processes and materials dictate design and things get shrunk to make them fit on a site".
News & Media
And you'll need to get "shrunk," as industrial psychologist Stephen Laser calls it.
News & Media
In RIM, the topology gets shrunk inward which leads to significant loss of coverage at network periphery.
If you'll be entitled to receive a traditional pension, that benefit could get shrunk as a result of going part-time, and thus taking a pay cut, during your final years of employment.
News & Media
"I loved getting shrunk in the Might Microscope when I was a kid," said Robert Niles, author of the Theme Park Insider website.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the correct tense of "shrink": "shrank" for past simple, "has shrunk" for present perfect. Using the correct tense ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.
Common error
Don't use "got shrunk" as it's grammatically incorrect. Use "shrank" instead. This avoids a common mistake in verb conjugation and improves the correctness of your sentences.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "got shrunk" functions as a passive construction attempting to describe something that has become smaller. However, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct past tense of 'shrink' is 'shrank'. Ludwig AI confirms that this is not considered correct English.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
25%
Wiki
25%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "got shrunk" is understandable, it's grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct past tense form is "shrank". As Ludwig AI points out, using "shrank" ensures grammatical accuracy and strengthens the clarity of your writing. Though examples exist in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it's essential to use the proper tense to maintain credibility, especially in professional or academic contexts. Consider using alternatives like "has shrunk" or "became smaller" for better grammatical precision.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
shrank
Uses the correct past tense form of the verb "shrink".
has shrunk
Uses the present perfect tense, indicating a completed action with present relevance.
became smaller
Replaces "shrunk" with a more descriptive phrase.
reduced in size
Another descriptive alternative using "reduced" instead of "shrunk".
diminished
A more formal synonym for "shrunk", indicating a decrease in size or importance.
contracted
Suggests a drawing together or shrinking inward.
was reduced
Passive voice construction indicating a reduction in size.
was minimized
Implies a deliberate effort to reduce size.
got compacted
Suggests compression into a smaller space.
become compressed
Emphasizes squeezing or pressing something into smaller size.
FAQs
What is the correct way to use "shrink" in the past tense?
The correct past tense of "shrink" is "shrank". "Got shrunk" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "The sweater shrank in the wash" is correct.
What can I say instead of "got shrunk"?
You can use alternatives like "shrank", "has shrunk", or "became smaller" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "got shrunk" or "shrank"?
"Shrank" is the correct past tense form of the verb "shrink". "Got shrunk" is not grammatically correct.
How can I avoid mistakes when using the verb "shrink"?
Remember that the past tense is "shrank", the past participle is "shrunk", and the present tense is "shrink" or "shrinks". Using the correct form will improve the accuracy of your writing.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested