sank down

USAGE SUMMARY

"sank down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone or something gradually moving down or to a lower level or position. Example: The sun had set and darkness had descended upon the forest. As the tired hiker continued on their journey, their legs began to ache and they sank down onto a large rock to rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Kit sank down in a large chair next to Rafe.

The New Yorker

He made a step to follow her, and then sank down upon a chair.

Stanford University

When life sank down for a moment, the range of experience seemed limitless….

The New Yorker

I sank down, hit the side of the tube, and at one point flipped over altogether.

The Guardian - Travel

He sank down by her side as the pharmacist called their number.

The Guardian

She went back to the sofa and sank down, speechless for a time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

You have to sink down into it.

The New York Times

My heart sinks down when I behold.

The New Yorker

I'm not going to sink down.

The New York Times

A fat, groggy sun sinks down past the horizon.

The New York Times - Travel

"It will sink down because everything up there is fractured".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sank down" when describing a physical action of lowering oneself or an object, especially when there's a sense of relaxation, surrender, or a gradual descent. For instance: "After a long day, she sank down into the comfortable armchair."

Common error

Avoid using "sank down" to describe actions that are sudden or forceful. Instead of saying "The building sank down during the earthquake", consider using "collapsed" or "caved in" to better convey the immediacy and force of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sank down" primarily functions as a phrasal verb indicating a downward movement or descent. It often describes the action of someone lowering themselves, as seen in Ludwig examples such as "Kit "sank down" in a large chair" or "He "sank down" upon a chair."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sank down" functions as a phrasal verb denoting a downward movement or descent, often implying a sense of weariness or resignation. As noted by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media and Academia. When writing, it’s best to reserve "sank down" for describing gradual or relaxed downward movements and avoid using it for sudden or forceful actions. If you need an alternative you can use settled down, "slumped down" or "collapsed down" based on context. Some authoritative sources that use the expression are The New Yorker, The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settled down

Implies a more gradual and comfortable movement into a lower position or state.

slumped down

Suggests a sudden and often weary or defeated descent.

collapsed down

Indicates a forceful and uncontrolled fall or descent due to weakness or failure.

subsided

Implies a reduction in intensity or level, often referring to emotions or physical phenomena.

descended

A more formal term for moving downwards, lacking the nuance of relaxation or defeat.

lowered oneself

Highlights the active effort of reducing one's physical position.

eased down

Signifies a gentle and careful movement downwards.

dropped down

Suggests a quick or abrupt downward movement.

reclined

Implies a leaning back or resting position, often in a comfortable manner.

gravitated towards

Describes a natural tendency to move towards something, often a state or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "sank down" to describe a person or object gradually lowering themselves, such as "She "sank down" onto the couch" or "The boat "sank down" into the water".

What are some alternatives to "sank down"?

Some alternatives to "sank down" include "settled down", "slumped down", "collapsed down", or "eased down", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "sinked down" instead of "sank down"?

No, "sinked" is not the past tense of "sink". The correct past tense form is "sank". Therefore, "sank down" is the correct form.

What's the difference between "sank down" and "settled down"?

"Sank down" typically implies a physical descent or lowering, while "settled down" suggests a movement into a more stable or comfortable position or state. For instance, you might say someone ""sank down"" into a chair, but they "settled down" in a new city.