sunk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sunk" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing something that has gone down or been submerged, or in a metaphorical sense to indicate failure or loss. Example: "The ship has sunk after hitting the iceberg, and now it lies at the bottom of the ocean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats has sunk to 6% – the lowest proportion of the vote recorded by Opinium for the party.

The Guardian

"So far, none of boats I filled with people have sunk".

The Guardian

Twenty boreholes have been sunk – by the UN Children's Fund, Unicef, with European Union funds – and a treatment plant built next to the lake.

The Guardian

The ship may have sunk some time ago, but England's captain remains convinced that he is the right man to recalibrate this Test team.

The Guardian - Sport

San Angelo, a city of 100,000, dug a pipeline to an underground water source more than 60 miles away, and sunk half a dozen new wells.

The Guardian

Directly over the river from Govan, on the north bank, the restored Clyde-built tall ship Glenlee is hosting an arts event to commemorate 100 years since the loss of another ship built here, the Lusitania, torpedoed and sunk in 1915, leaving 1,198 dead.

The Guardian

If Ayn Rand had ever imagined a Britain that was not so sunk in welfarism it was beyond saving, she might have imagined Carswell as a kind of Howard Roark for Westminster, who will do politics only on his own terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oh dear, the Times has sunk into its Victorian-era fainting couch.

The Guardian

For a while it looked as if the club was endlessly digging to new levels of rock bottom, as an embarrassing defeat to Chorley in the FA Cup highlighted just how far they had sunk.

The Guardian - Sport

The ships became two of the most sought-after wrecks in marine history and Canadian divers and archaeologists have spent years seeking them, searches that had to be confined to a few weeks in summer when retreating ice shelves allowed ships to tow sonar through channels around King William Island, where the ships were believed to have sunk.

The Guardian

The sea licks the lip of the rock, the constant, repeated, slightly shifting pattern of sound; partially sunk bottle lifting lightly in the transparent, sun-mottled sea.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sunk" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly establishes the comparison to something that has physically gone underwater or diminished significantly. For example, "His hopes sunk after the rejection".

Common error

Avoid using "sunk" when a more precise verb better conveys the intended meaning. For instance, instead of "The project sunk", consider "The project failed" or "The project was abandoned".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sunk" is as a past participle of the verb 'sink'. It is commonly used with auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'be' to form perfect or passive constructions. Ludwig AI's analysis supports this, showcasing examples where "sunk" functions within larger verb phrases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sunk" is the past participle of 'sink', used to describe the act of descending below a surface or, metaphorically, a state of decline or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use, as demonstrated by a high frequency of examples across various sources. While versatile, it's important to select the most precise verb to convey the intended meaning, especially when figurative. Ludwig's analysis highlights its frequent usage in news and media, reflecting its role in reporting factual events and expressing viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submerged

Implies a state of being covered by a liquid or other substance. It refers to objects, not necessarily people.

descended

Indicates a downward movement or decline. This applies to tangible and intangible things like levels of quality.

collapsed

Suggests a sudden failure or breakdown, usually of structures or systems.

vanished

Implies a disappearance without a trace, often used in more metaphorical contexts.

dwindled

Refers to a gradual reduction in size, amount, or strength.

plummeted

Indicates a rapid and significant drop, often in value or status.

receded

Describes a movement away or back, particularly of water or other fluids.

succumbed

Implies giving way to pressure or a negative influence.

immersed

Describes being deeply involved or absorbed in something.

ingrained

Indicates something deeply fixed or embedded.

FAQs

How is "sunk" used in a sentence?

"Sunk" is the past participle of the verb sink, used to describe something that has gone below the surface of water or failed. For example, "The ship has "sunk" to the bottom of the ocean." It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that has failed or declined.

What are some alternative ways to say "sunk"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "sunk" include "submerged", "descended", "collapsed", or "vanished". Choose the word that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct: "The ship sunk" or "The ship has sunk"?

"The ship "has sunk"" is grammatically correct, using the present perfect tense. "The ship sunk" is less common and generally considered less formal.

What's the difference between "sunk" and "drowned"?

"Sunk" describes the action of something going below the surface, while "drowned" specifically refers to death by submersion in water. For example, a ship "sunk", but people drowned.