still sinking in

USAGE SUMMARY

"still sinking in" is correct and usable in written English.
It's used to express a feeling of gradually understanding or absorbing something, usually over a period of time. For example: "The news of the tragedy is still sinking in, and it's hard to believe it's true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's still sinking in.

The New York Times - Sports

But the news was still sinking in.

The Guardian - Books

"I think it's still sinking in," Vance said.

The Guardian

Its radicalism is still sinking in, I think.

The Guardian - Opinion

The gravity of her near-miss is still sinking in.

The New Yorker

What has happened to me is still sinking in.

The Guardian - Sport

For Olga Romanova, the news from Rhodes is still sinking in.

Harvard University

"You can appreciate it's still sinking in and today brings all the memories back".

Independent

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

The Guardian

IMPLICATIONS of the ICJ's ruling that Kosovo's declaration of independence is legal are still sinking in.

The Economist

Mr. Wahl said the loss of his job was still sinking in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still sinking in" to describe a delayed emotional or intellectual understanding of something significant. For example, "The impact of the decision is still sinking in."

Common error

Avoid using "still sinking in" to describe literal physical sinking. This phrase is primarily used for abstract concepts or emotional realizations, not for objects descending in water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still sinking in" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage to describe a gradual realization or understanding of something. It often follows news or events with significant emotional or intellectual impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "still sinking in" is a commonly used idiom to express that a realization or understanding is gradually developing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and acceptable. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives exist, such as "not fully registered yet" or "slowly dawning on me", "still sinking in" effectively captures the sense of delayed comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not fully registered yet

Highlights the lack of complete cognitive acknowledgment.

not quite grasped yet

Highlights the idea that something is not completely understood.

gradually becoming clear

Stresses the progressive clarification of something.

not fully processed yet

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of understanding the information.

the magnitude is dawning

Focuses on realizing the great size or importance of something.

the implications are emerging

Focuses on understanding the consequences or effects.

slowly dawning on me

Focuses on the gradual nature of realization.

reality is setting in

Emphasizes the beginning of accepting a situation as real.

taking time to understand

Highlights the time aspect of comprehension.

the penny is dropping

Implies a sudden realization after a period of confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "still sinking in" in a sentence?

You can use "still sinking in" to express that something is gradually being understood or realized. For example, "The news of her award is "still sinking in", she's incredibly honored."

What does "still sinking in" mean?

The phrase "still sinking in" means that someone is in the process of fully understanding or realizing the importance or implications of something.

What are some alternatives to "still sinking in"?

Alternatives to "still sinking in" include "not fully registered yet", "slowly dawning on me", or "gradually becoming clear". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "still sinking in" in formal writing?

While "still sinking in" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "the implications are emerging" or "comprehension is gradually developing" for academic or business contexts.