sank deeper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sank deeper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something descends further, either literally or metaphorically, often implying an increase in intensity or severity. Example: "As the storm raged on, the ship sank deeper into the turbulent waters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Europe sank deeper into recession.

The New York Times

Mrs. Brown sank deeper into addiction.

The New York Times

As their offense awakened, Hughes sank deeper into his malaise.

The New York Times

But the van only sank deeper into the sand.

The New York Times - Travel

He sank deeper into No 4 and his own regrets.

The Guardian

She sank deeper into rather incomprehensible paintings and drawings".

The Guardian - Arts

As his work became more and more influential, he sank deeper into illness, poverty, and obscurity.

Princeton University

I sank deeper into despair, and all I could hear were 1D lyrics.

Independent

After his time in Afghanistan, he sank deeper and deeper into obscurity.

The New York Times

The Royal humor never faded, even as he sank deeper into Alzheimer's disease.

The New York Times - Sports

But Italy's GDP was more sluggish, Spain's was flat, and Greece sank deeper into recession.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sank deeper" to vividly describe situations where something intensifies negatively, such as "The country "sank deeper" into recession," adding emotional weight to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "sank deeper" when simply indicating a change without a connotation of decline or worsening; it's not interchangeable with phrases indicating neutral movement or change. Consider if the downward direction and intensifying negativity are truly relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sank deeper" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It intensifies the action of sinking, implying a continued or increased state of decline. Examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts like economic recession, personal struggles, and political turmoil.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sank deeper" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the intensification of a negative situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct in written English. With a high frequency of use, especially in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys a sense of increasing severity or decline. While alternatives like "descended further" or "plunged further" exist, "sank deeper" provides a vivid and emotionally resonant description of something worsening. It's important to use the phrase when a downward trajectory and intensifying negativity are truly relevant to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descended further

Focuses on the act of moving downwards, emphasizing a decline.

plunged further

Suggests a sudden and dramatic decline or worsening.

fell further

A general term for declining, without necessarily implying a great depth.

spiraled downward

Implies a continuous and worsening decline.

degenerated further

Indicates a decline in quality or condition.

worsened considerably

Highlights a significant increase in severity.

deteriorated rapidly

Emphasizes a swift decline in condition.

declined sharply

Suggests a sudden and noticeable decrease.

slid further

Implies a gradual and often unwanted descent.

devolved further

Highlights a regression to a less developed state.

FAQs

How can I use "sank deeper" in a sentence?

You can use "sank deeper" to describe a situation worsening, for example, "As the negotiations failed, the relationship between the two countries "sank deeper" into conflict".

What are some alternatives to using "sank deeper"?

Alternatives include "descended further", "plunged further", or "fell further", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "sank deeper" in a positive context?

Generally, "sank deeper" implies a negative intensification. It's unusual and potentially confusing to use it in a positive context.

What is the difference between "sank deeper" and "became worse"?

"Sank deeper" suggests a downward trajectory and increasing severity, while "became worse" is a more general term for something deteriorating without necessarily implying a specific direction or depth. The phrase "became worse" is neutral.