sank
B2Neutral; used in all registers from everyday to formal.
Definition
Meaning
The simple past tense of the verb 'sink,' meaning to go down below the surface of a liquid, or to move to a lower level.
Also used figuratively to mean to decline, fail, or subside; to descend into a particular state (e.g., sank into despair).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used for completed past actions. It is the standard irregular past form of 'sink' for most meanings. For the specific past participle of the sport of basketball, 'sunk' is often used (e.g., He has sunk three shots).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Both varieties use 'sank' as the simple past. The alternative form 'sunk' for the simple past is considered nonstandard but is heard in some informal dialects, particularly in the US.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In naval/maritime contexts, it has strong connotations of disaster or loss.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + sank (intransitive)Subject + sank + Prepositional Phrase (sank into/beneath/to)Subject + sank + Object (transitive, archaic/nautical e.g., They sank the ship)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sank like a stone”
- “my heart sank”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'Shares sank after the profit warning.'
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or scientific contexts: 'The vessel sank during the storm.'
Everyday
Common for describing past events: 'My phone sank to the bottom of the bath.'
Technical
Used in maritime reports, geology (e.g., land sank), and engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dinghy sank in the harbour during the gale.
- He sank into the armchair with a weary sigh.
- Their hopes sank as the final whistle blew.
American English
- The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic.
- She sank her putt to win the tournament.
- His voice sank to a whisper.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial use.
American English
- No adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use for 'sank'. The related adjective is 'sunken'.
American English
- No common adjectival use for 'sank'. The related adjective is 'sunken'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The toy boat sank in the pool.
- The sun sank behind the hills.
- The heavy stone sank quickly to the riverbed.
- My heart sank when I heard the bad news.
- The company's reputation sank after the scandal was exposed.
- She sank into a deep depression following the loss.
- The ancient city is believed to have sank beneath the waves due to seismic activity.
- He sank his savings into the risky venture, hoping for a high return.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TANK that SANK. Both words rhyme and share '-ank'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOWN IS BAD/NEGATIVE (e.g., spirits sank, hopes sank); DOWN IS LESS VISIBLE/ACTIVE (e.g., the sun sank).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'тонуть' (present infinitive). 'Sank' is specifically past tense ('затонул', 'погрузился').
- Avoid using the present form 'sink' for past events.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sinked' (regularized past) is incorrect.
- Confusing 'sank' (past) with 'sunk' (past participle) in simple past contexts, e.g., 'Yesterday the boat sunk' (nonstandard).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sank' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sank' is the standard simple past tense (e.g., The ship sank). 'Sunk' is the past participle, used with auxiliaries (e.g., The ship has sunk). Using 'sunk' as the simple past is considered nonstandard.
Yes, but it's less common in everyday speech. The transitive use means 'to cause to sink' and is often found in military or historical contexts (e.g., They sank the enemy battleship).
'Sank' is a verb (past tense). 'Sunken' is an adjective used before a noun (e.g., a sunken ship, sunken cheeks). You cannot say 'The ship is sank' - you must say 'The ship is sunk' or 'The ship has sunk'.
It is irregular. The principal parts are: sink (present) - sank (past) - sunk (past participle).