Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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sink, sinks, sinking, sunk, sank

Synonyms: submerge, dip, plummet, founder, descend

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Antonyms: float, rise, ascend, surface, emerge

The Verb Sink – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb sink is an irregular verb that means to go down below the surface of a liquid, especially water. It can also mean to move gradually downward or to decline.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: sink
■ Past Simple: sank
■ Past Participle: sunk
■ Present Participle/Gerund: sinking


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Sink' is used for literal downward motion in liquids and for various figurative declines.


1. Going Below a Surface
This is its most common, literal meaning.


■ Ships: 'The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.'
■ Objects: 'A stone will sink in water, but a piece of wood will float.'


2. Moving Downward or Declining
This can be used for physical position, health, or morale.


■ Position: 'He sank into his favorite armchair.'
■ Health/Morale: 'His spirits sank when he heard the bad news.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: 'SANK' VS. 'SUNK' AND ADJECTIVE 'SUNKEN'


■ 'Sank' (Simple Past): Use 'sank' for the simple past tense.
■ Correct: 'The ship sank to the bottom of the ocean.'


■ 'Sunk' (Past Participle): Use 'sunk' with 'have,' 'has,' 'had,' or in the passive voice.
■ Correct: 'The ship has sunk.' / 'Many ships were sunk during the war.'


■ 'Sunk' in Informal Speech: In modern informal speech, some people use 'sunk' for the simple past, but 'sank' is still considered the standard, correct form.


■ Adjective 'Sunken': The alternative past participle 'sunken' is now used almost exclusively as an adjective.
■ Example: 'They explored the sunken treasure ship.'
■ Example: 'He had tired, sunken eyes.'