it shrunk to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it shrunk to" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "it shrank to." You can use it when describing a reduction in size or amount, but ensure to use "shrank" instead of "shrunk." Example: "After the wash, the sweater shrank to half its original size."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"At its high point it was 120,000 people, and then it shrunk to 75,000, and now it's apparently up to more than 100,000 again," Adam Coogle, a Jordan-based researcher with Human Rights Watch (HRW), told VICE News.

Vice

Why has it shrunk to this?

The New Yorker

The aim is to demolish the BBC as a widely loved universal broadcaster: Rupert Murdoch wants it shrunk to a small information channel few would subscribe to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr. Turner of Princeton invited audience members to imagine what they could learn from Earth were it shrunk to a point.

The New York Times - Science

In the meantime, the C.W.H.L. will carry on and hope to avoid the fate of the Western Women's Hockey League, which suspended play this season after it shrunk to two teams.

The New York Times - Sports

She noticed that it shrunk to $250.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

When you put a polystyrene cup into an oven, it shrinks to a quarter of its size.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And in the 1990s, it shrank to just 16percentt.

The New York Times

"The town has 7,000 people, and it shrinks to half that when school's out," he said.

The New York Times

It shrank to 288 after Day 2's first round, 189 by 6 p.m., 143 by 9.

The New York Times

Then the voice: it's a big, barnstorming, PA-shattering Italian stage voice when required, then on cue it shrinks to a husky, wistful crooner's gasp.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a reduction in size or amount, use the correct past tense form of 'shrink,' which is 'shrank.' For example, 'The company shrank its workforce due to budget cuts.'

Common error

Avoid using 'shrunk' as the simple past tense of 'shrink.' While 'shrunk' is the past participle, the correct simple past tense form is 'shrank.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it shrunk to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction in size, amount, or extent to a specific level. While the examples in Ludwig provide context, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it shrank to."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it shrunk to" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "it shrank to". As Ludwig AI indicates, "shrank" is the simple past tense of "shrink". Although examples are available from news and media outlets, and other sources, using the correct tense is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Alternatives such as "it diminished to" or "it decreased to" can also effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it diminished to

Uses 'diminished' instead of 'shrunk', indicating a decrease in size, extent, or importance.

it decreased to

Employs 'decreased' instead of 'shrunk', suggesting a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity.

it reduced to

Replaces 'shrunk' with 'reduced', implying a lessening in size, amount, or degree.

it lessened to

Substitutes 'shrunk' with 'lessened', indicating a reduction in extent, amount, or intensity.

it contracted to

Uses 'contracted' instead of 'shrunk', suggesting a decrease in size or a drawing together.

it tapered to

Replaces 'shrunk' with 'tapered', indicating a gradual narrowing or reduction.

it narrowed to

Employs 'narrowed' instead of 'shrunk', suggesting a reduction in width or scope.

it fell to

Substitutes 'shrunk' with 'fell', indicating a drop to a lower level or amount.

it declined to

Replaces 'shrunk' with 'declined', meaning a decrease in quantity or quality

it dwindled to

Uses 'dwindled' instead of 'shrunk,' suggesting a gradual decrease until little remains.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "it shrunk to" or "it shrank to"?

The correct form is "it "it shrank to"". "Shrank" is the simple past tense of the verb "shrink", while "shrunk" is the past participle.

What does "it shrank to" mean?

"It shrank to" means that something decreased in size, amount, or extent to a specified level. For instance, "The crowd shrank to a few people after the rain started".

Can I use "it has shrunk to" instead of "it shrank to"?

Yes, "it has shrunk to" is grammatically correct and uses the present perfect tense. It indicates that something has decreased in size or amount up to the present time, whereas ""it shrank to"" refers to a completed action in the past.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "it shrank to"?

Alternatives include "it diminished to", "it decreased to", or "it reduced to", which all convey a similar meaning of reduction in size or amount.