shrunk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrunk" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as the past participle of the verb "shrink," often in contexts discussing something that has become smaller in size. Example: "The sweater shrunk in the wash, and now it doesn't fit me anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, my health has deteriorated to the point that only 20% of my lungs now work and my lung capacity has shrunk to less than the size of two Coke cans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Queen was taking a close interest in the referendum, and was said to have noted a poll published in the Times earlier that week, which found the no side's lead had shrunk to only six points.

The Guardian

At the same time, said Richards, Ofcom's budget has shrunk by 26.7% in real terms over the last two-and-a-half years.

The Guardian

A 2011 survey found the population had shrunk by more than 13% in little over a decade, leading to fears of a brain drain.

The Guardian

Italy is back in recession and approaching deflation; Germany's economy has shrunk and France stagnates.

The Guardian - Opinion

My favourite performance is in a lesser-known film, Hope Springs, in which she plays half of a couple going through marriage counselling (Tommy Lee Jones is inflexible and uncommunicative; she's a people-pleaser who's shrunk during their life together).

The Guardian - Film

Differences have narrowed considerably over the last nine months, but as the number of outstanding issues has shrunk, the differences over them have sharpened.

The Guardian

"The UK's ability to generate tax receipts has shrunk considerably since the financial crisis, meaning that the next incoming government will have to persevere with a credible plan to improve public finances.

The Guardian - Business

Despite NHS plans to shift care out of hospitals, the community nursing workforce has shrunk significantly in the past five years at the same time as the number of nursing posts in hospitals has increased.

The Guardian

After two years of financial crisis, the City's expectations have also shrunk faster than its loan books.

The Guardian

Given that the economy has shrunk by 25% in the past five years and is still shrinking, again the answer is yes.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shrunk", ensure the subject has undergone a reduction in size, amount, or scope. It's the past participle of "shrink", so use it in perfect tenses (e.g., has shrunk, had shrunk).

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk" as the simple past tense of "shrink". The correct simple past tense is "shrank". For example, say "The shirt shrank in the wash" (simple past) instead of "The shirt shrunk in the wash".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shrunk" is as the past participle of the verb 'shrink'. It typically appears in perfect tenses, indicating a completed action in the past, often with the auxiliary verbs 'have' or 'had', as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "shrunk", as Ludwig AI confirms, functions as the past participle of the verb "shrink", denoting a reduction in size, quantity, or scope. It commonly appears in perfect tenses and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to avoid using "shrunk" as a simple past tense, as the correct form is "shrank". Related terms like "decreased" or "diminished" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced

A general term for making something smaller or less, applicable in many situations.

decreased

Indicates a general reduction in number or amount, suitable for various contexts.

diminished

Suggests a gradual reduction, often implying a loss in importance or quality.

dwindled

Implies a progressive decrease, often to a very small amount.

contracted

Implies a reduction in size or scope, often due to external forces or conditions.

narrowed

Indicates a reduction in width or scope, often used for gaps or differences.

lessened

Indicates a decrease in intensity or degree, suitable for abstract concepts.

receded

Suggests a withdrawal or decrease, often used in contexts of water levels or abstract concepts.

curtailed

Suggests a restriction or reduction, often imposed by external factors.

tapered off

Implies a gradual decline, often used for quantities or activity levels.

FAQs

How is "shrunk" used in a sentence?

"Shrunk" is the past participle of "shrink", so it's used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had". For instance, "The company's profits have "shrunk" due to the recession".

What's a good alternative to "shrunk"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "decreased", "diminished", or "contracted". For example, "The balloon's size has "decreased" overnight".

Is it correct to say "shrinked" instead of "shrunk"?

No, "shrinked" is not a standard form. The correct past participle of "shrink" is "shrunk". The past tense is "shrank". "The sweater shrank (past tense) when I washed it, and now it has "shrunk" (past participle) even more".

What's the difference between "shrank" and "shrunk"?

"Shrank" is the simple past tense form of "shrink", while "shrunk" is the past participle. Use "shrank" to describe a completed action in the past (e.g., "The ice shrank overnight"). Use "shrunk" with auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'had' (e.g., "The ice has "shrunk" significantly this year").