sank

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sank' is correct and usable in written English.
'Sank' is the past tense of the verb 'sink', which means to move downwards or to submerge. It can also mean to decrease or decline. Example: The ship sank to the bottom of the ocean after hitting an iceberg. In this sentence, 'sank' is used to describe the action of the ship moving downwards and submerging in the water. It could also be used in a figurative sense, such as "The company's profits sank during the recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, when Nigel Farage sank low with a rant against HIV-positive foreigners, it was Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood who won applause by telling him he should be ashamed of himself.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the Housatonic sank, so did the Hunley.

The Guardian

Recently I sank 70 hours of my life into Divinity: Original Sin, luxuriating in the freedom and the flexibility its environmental magic system offered.

The Guardian - Tech

As the final whistle blew, many sank to their knees.

The Guardian - Sport

When I was shadow immigration minister and was writing Labor's refugee and asylum seeker policy, I used to say I was in search of a policy that we would feel comfortable defending on the day a boat sank and public sympathy was with the surviving asylum seekers, as well as on the day a riot broke out in a detention centre and public sentiment was white hot against asylum seekers.

The Guardian

In by far the most devastating of what president Giorgio Napolitano called a "succession of true slaughters of innocents" to occur off Italy's coast, at least 114 African migrants, including at least three children, died after their boat sank in waters near the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.

The Guardian

We did not expect the international community to allow Assad to kill the Syrian people Abu Salih We brought two ambulances from Hamburg but we had a car accident during a heavy snow storm in the Czech Republic, and the ambulances sank in snow.

The Guardian

Another group of migrants are only alive thanks to a quirk of fate: their boat was so rotten it sank almost immediately.

The Guardian

At least 56 sailors have been killed after a Russian fishing trawler sank in the Sea of Okhotsk, raising questions about whether the owner and crew had cut too many corners in pursuit of a big catch.

The Guardian

The ship reportedly sank so quickly that the crew did not have time to send out an official SOS signal.

The Guardian

A separate survey of US households said the unemployment rate sank to 8.5% in December, its lowest level since February 2009.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decrease in a measurable quantity, use "sank" to vividly convey the extent and impact of the decline. For example, "The company's profits sank dramatically after the new regulations were introduced."

Common error

Avoid using "sunk" when the action is in the simple past tense. "Sunk" is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs like "have" (e.g., "The ship has sunk"), whereas "sank" is the simple past (e.g., "The ship sank quickly").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sank" is as the past tense of the verb "sink". It describes a completed action of something moving downwards, often into water or a state of decline. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sport

13%

Travel

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sank" serves as the past tense of "sink", effectively describing a downward movement, submergence, or decline. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. It is a versatile term employed across various contexts, notably in news and sports reporting, but also in formal writing. The most common mistake is confusing "sank" with "sunk", the past participle. Alternatives like "descended" or "plummeted" offer similar meanings depending on the specific nuance required. Understanding its grammatical function and appropriate usage ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submerged

Replaces "sank" with a synonym emphasizing complete covering by a liquid.

foundered

Replaces "sank" specifically for ships or projects that have failed.

descended

Replaces "sank" with a more general term for downward movement.

slumped

Replaces "sank" implying a sudden and uncontrolled drop.

plummeted

Replaces "sank" with a word implying a rapid and significant drop.

declined

Replaces "sank" with a formal term for a decrease or reduction.

dropped

Replaces "sank" with a simple, direct term for falling or declining.

collapsed

Replaces "sank" when referring to a structure or system failing.

dwindled

Replaces "sank" when referring to a gradual reduction or decline.

vanished

Replaces "sank" implying a complete disappearance.

FAQs

How to use "sank" in a sentence?

Use "sank" as the past tense of "sink" to describe something that has gone below the surface of water or decreased in value. For instance, "The ship "sank" after hitting an iceberg" or "Her spirits "sank" when she heard the news."

What can I say instead of "sank"?

You can use alternatives like "descended", "submerged", or "plummeted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sank" or "sunk"?

"Sank" is the simple past tense of "sink", while "sunk" is the past participle. Use "sank" for past actions (e.g., "The boat "sank"") and "sunk" with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "The boat has "sunk"").

What's the difference between "sank" and "plunged"?

"Sank" generally describes a downward movement or decline, whereas "plunged" implies a rapid and forceful fall. For example, "The ship "sank" slowly" versus "The stock market "plunged" after the announcement".