sinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sinking' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts and has multiple meanings. Some possible ways to use it are: 1. As a verb meaning to move downwards or descend: The ship was sinking slowly into the sea. 2. As an adjective meaning submerging or going below the surface: The sinking sun cast a beautiful orange glow over the ocean. 3. As a noun referring to a feeling of sadness or despair: I felt a sinking feeling in my heart as I realized I had failed the exam. 4. As a present participle used to form a continuous tense: The boat is sinking, we need to call for help. Example: The building was sinking into the soft ground, causing cracks and damage to the structure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two trawlers belonging to the Pileng fishing company were among the first to arrive at the scene after they received radio messages that the Dalny Vostok was sinking, general director Vasily Velmeskin told Komsomolskaya Pravda.

The Guardian

Then the Italian boat brought some lifebuoys and released them around the sinking ship.

The Guardian

The loss of life came when the submarine set off a black powder charge at the end of a 200-pound spar, sinking the blockader.

The Guardian

Maybe she is just looking to get rid of her morality like she says Hannibal has, sinking into his world of purely aesthetic concerns and appetite for the flesh that seemed so alluring to her.

The Guardian

In a third referral, on 9 December 2013, the defence department referred to the AFP a news.com.au article by Ian McPhedran about an Australian patrol boat sinking an asylum seeker boat after it was towed from Christmas Island.

The Guardian

Try as they might to jazz it up with a dance routine or a catchphrase or a performance by Bruno Mars, The X Factor was a sinking ship.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At this point, Ashley interrupts to comment, "I think it's still sinking in".

The Guardian

We're sinking trillions of dollars into finding unconventional oil and gas that we're never going to use rather than planning for the transition.

The Guardian

Company lost 9% of its circulation over the year, sinking to 275,038, and New Woman was down 14.4% year on year and 0.3% on the period at 231,785.

The Guardian

I got a horrible sinking feeling last year when I first heard that our local library was proposed to close the following year due to budget cuts.

The Guardian - Books

GCap Media's Capital Radio has lost almost one-fifth of its audience over the past year, sinking to its lowest audience and share of the London market for the second successive quarter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like morale or popularity, use "sinking" to vividly portray a decline or decrease: 'The team's morale was sinking after a series of defeats.'

Common error

Avoid using "sinking" excessively in formal reports or academic papers when more precise verbs like "decreasing", "declining", or "diminishing" would provide clarity and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "sinking" functions primarily as a verb, specifically a present participle, describing an ongoing action of descending or submerging. As noted by Ludwig AI, it can also function as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "sinking" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb to describe downward movement or decline, as stated by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans from literal depictions of objects submerging to figurative representations of diminishing states or emotions. Occurring "Very common"ly across diverse sources, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, "sinking" maintains a mostly neutral register, suitable for a range of writing styles. It's important to consider context to avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more precise alternatives when appropriate. Remember to employ "sinking" effectively by emphasizing the subtle declines in either literal or abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descending

Focuses on the downward movement, omitting the implication of being submerged or failing.

submerging

Highlights the action of being covered by a liquid, lacking the sense of decline often associated with "sinking".

foundering

Implies a catastrophic failure, specifically in nautical contexts, differing from the broader applicability of "sinking".

collapsing

Emphasizes the idea of falling inward or giving way, rather than a downward motion in a liquid.

declining

Shifts the meaning to a gradual decrease or deterioration, losing the physical aspect of "sinking".

plunging

Implies a rapid and forceful descent, lacking the gradual nature that "sinking" can sometimes convey.

dwindling

Focuses on reduction or depletion, rather than physical descent.

deteriorating

Shifts the focus to a decline in quality or condition, rather than a physical movement.

vanishing

Implies disappearing completely, losing the sense of gradual submersion.

tumbling

Suggests a chaotic and uncontrolled fall, rather than a steady descent.

FAQs

How can I use "sinking" in a sentence?

You can use "sinking" to describe something physically going down, like "The ship was sinking". It can also describe an abstract decline, as in "Her spirits were sinking".

What's a good alternative for "sinking"?

Alternatives to "sinking" include "descending" for physical movement and "declining" for abstract concepts.

Is it correct to say "sinking feeling"?

Yes, "sinking feeling" is a common idiom that describes a sense of dread or unease. It is often used to express a negative premonition or realization.

How does "sinking" differ from "drowning"?

"Sinking" refers to the general act of going down or submerging, while "drowning" implies death by submersion in water. Something can be "sinking" without necessarily drowning.