sink deeper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sink deeper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation or feeling becoming more intense or severe, often in a negative context. Example: "As the discussion progressed, the tension in the room began to sink deeper, making everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You sink deeper.

The New Yorker

They sink deeper into poverty".

The Guardian

The catastrophe began to sink deeper into the psyche.

The New York Times - Sports

He continued to sink deeper into depression and invisibility.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Prochnik embraced it, wanting "to remain and sink deeper into it".

The New York Times - Science

Whatever task I'd been consumed with becomes unimportant as I sink deeper and deeper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, as you sink deeper into their depravity, it starts to make perfect sense.

The Guardian - Music

"Can't we learn some lessons from this? Are we just going to sink deeper and deeper?

The Guardian

As they wait for the government to deliver aid, families sink deeper into an economic slump.

The Guardian

Many of the houses are falling apart — they tend to sink deeper into the ground with every spring thaw.

The New Yorker

At every "breaking news", our hearts sink deeper as we try to make sense of what has happened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sink deeper" to describe a worsening condition or an intensifying emotion. For example, "As the investigation continued, he began to sink deeper into despair."

Common error

Avoid using "sink deeper" in contexts where a physical, literal sinking is intended without any implied negative connotation. In such cases, consider alternatives that lack the negative metaphorical weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sink deeper" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "sink" acts as the main verb indicating a downward movement or decline, and "deeper" modifies the verb, indicating the extent or degree of the sinking. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the proper usage of this phrase across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sink deeper" is a versatile expression primarily used to describe a worsening situation, an intensifying emotion, or a progressive decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it can be replaced with alternatives such as "fall further" or "plunge further", the specific choice depends on the nuance one wishes to convey. It is important to consider the metaphorical depth of the phrase to ensure appropriate usage, avoiding literal interpretations when a more nuanced meaning is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall further

Indicates a progression into a worse state or condition; focuses on the act of falling.

descend further

Implies a downward movement or decline, often in a literal or figurative sense.

decline sharply

Suggests a rapid decrease or deterioration, highlighting the speed of the decline.

deteriorate further

Focuses on the worsening of a condition or situation, emphasizing the process of decay.

plunge further

Implies a sudden and dramatic decline or descent, often with a negative connotation.

drift further

Suggests a gradual and passive movement away from a desired state or position.

delve deeper

Focuses on exploring something in more detail or investigating more thoroughly.

burrow deeper

Implies digging or penetrating further into something, often to find something hidden.

move further down

Suggests physical movement to a lower position, focusing on spatial orientation.

slide further down

Suggests a gradual and uncontrolled movement downwards, typically due to a lack of friction.

FAQs

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

You can use "sink deeper" to describe a situation worsening, like "The country started to "sink deeper" into recession". It can also describe emotions, like "She felt herself "sink deeper" into depression".

What are some alternatives to "sink deeper"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fall further", "descend further", or "plunge further".

Is it correct to say "sink deeper and deeper"?

Yes, repeating "deeper" emphasizes the continuous or progressive nature of the sinking. For instance, "They were "sinking deeper and deeper" into debt".

What is the difference between "sink deeper" and "delve deeper"?

"Sink deeper" usually refers to a negative progression or a literal downward movement, while "delve deeper" refers to exploring something in greater detail or investigating more thoroughly. They have different connotations and are used in different contexts.