Sunk or Sank: what’s past tense of sink

Master the difference between “sank” or “sunk” to boost your English accuracy, as people often mix up these forms of the verb “sink.” As an irregular verb, “sink” doesn’t follow the usual past-tense rules, which can cause confusion for learners and native speakers alike. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the past tense of sink, explore the meaning of sank and sunk, and show when to use each. With clear examples and simple explanations, you’ll quickly understand sank vs. sunk and avoid common mistakes. By the end, you’ll confidently choose the right form every time, whether in writing or conversation.

What’s the Past Tense of “Sink”?

The verb sink is irregular, meaning it doesn’t follow the common “-ed” rule for the past tense. For sink, the simple past tense is sank, while the past participle is sunk. Knowing this distinction is essential because, unlike regular verbs, you can’t simply add “-ed” to “sink” to form its past tense.

For example, in simple past tense sentences like “The ship sank,” we use sank to indicate that the action happened in the past.

Forms of the Irregular Verb “Sink”

The forms of sink follow a unique pattern seen in irregular verbs. In the present tense of sink, you use “sink.” In the simple past tense, it becomes “sank,” and for the past participle of sink, you’ll use “sunk.”

Verb Tense	Verb Form
Present Tense	sink
Simple Past Tense	sank
Past Participle	sunk

Using these forms in the right context is crucial in English grammar, and knowing when to use each one will make you sound more fluent and accurate.

How to Use the Past Tense of Sink

The past tense of sink is used without auxiliary verbs, making sank a straightforward choice in most simple past tense sentences. For example, you would say, “The anchor sank,” to describe a completed action.

To describe an event tied to another action, use the past participle “sunk” with an auxiliary verb like “has,” “had,” or “was.” For example, “The anchor has sunk,” or “A storm sank the ship,” where “sunk” flows naturally.

What Is the Difference Between Sank and Sunk?

The difference between sank and sunk is mainly in their grammatical use. Sank is used in simple past tense without an auxiliary verb, while sunk is a past participle and must be used with an auxiliary verb. This difference can make usage tricky, but understanding the context helps make the right choice.

For example, “They sank the ship” uses sank correctly in a simple past tense structure. However, “The ship has sunk to the bottom of the ocean” requires sunk since it’s in the perfect tense, needing “has” as an auxiliary verb.

Definition of Sank

The term sank is the simple past tense of the verb “sink.” It describes an action that has been completed in the past, without the need for auxiliary verbs. Sank applies when discussing events that have already occurred, with no additional context linking them to the present or other actions.

Meaning of Sank

In simple terms, sank refers to the action of moving downward, often quickly and often in a literal or figurative way. In a sentence like, “The stone sank in the river,” sank shows a completed action in the past, indicating that the object moved downward and stayed there.

When to Use Sank

Use sank when describing a completed action in the past without any link to the present. This tense is suitable when you’re stating a fact or recounting an event that occurred at a specific time in the past, with no auxiliary verb required.

Examples of Sank in Sentences

• The ship sank after hitting the iceberg.
• Her confidence sank when she saw the crowd.
• The rainwater sank into the dry soil.
• His heart sank as he heard the bad news.
• The sun sank below the horizon.
• My hopes sank when I lost the game.
• The stone sank quickly in the pond.
• The temperature sank overnight.
• Their spirits sank as the storm raged.
• The anchor sank to the bottom of the lake.

Definition of Sunk

Sunk is the past participle of sink, used with auxiliary verbs such as “has,” “had,” or “was.” It describes a completed action but typically connects it to another action or context. When using sunk, it’s essential to add an auxiliary verb to complete the tense.

Meaning of Sunk

Sunk means the same as sank but is used to describe an action in the past that has relevance to the present or another past action. For instance, “The boat has sunk” indicates not only that the boat went down but also that its state of being submerged continues or has consequences now.

When to Use Sunk

Use sunk when you need the past participle form, paired with an auxiliary verb, to show an action completed in the past but connected to other events or effects. It is common in the perfect tenses like the present perfect (“has sunk”) or the past perfect (“had sunk”).

Examples of Sunk in Sentences

• The submarine had sunk to the ocean floor.
• The boat has sunk beyond recovery.
• His spirits were sunk by the tragic news.
• The treasure chest was sunk during the storm.
• Their hopes had sunk after hearing the results.
• The rock has sunk deep into the mud.
• The raft was sunk by the extra weight.
• The anchor had sunk into the soft seabed.
• My confidence was sunk after the critique.
• The costs have sunk the entire project.

Examples of Sink in the Present Tense

When describing current actions, sink appears in its original form. For instance, you might say, “The ship begins to sink,” or “He sinks into thought whenever he’s nervous.” Using sink in the present tense keeps the action current.

See Examples of Sank in the Past Tense

As the past tense of sink, sank works perfectly to narrate events that happened in the past. For instance, “The boat sank without a trace” or “His mood sank with the news” clearly shows completed actions with no connection to the present.

Examples of the Past Participle, Sunk

When using sunk in perfect tenses, you connect past actions to the present. Examples include “The treasure has sunk beyond reach” or “Her hopes had sunk after the interview.”

Learn Similar and Opposite Words to Spot the Difference

For a clear understanding, consider similar or opposite words like “floated” (opposite) or “descended” (similar). These synonyms and antonyms provide useful alternatives to understand sank vs. sunk by comparing with related meanings.

Pronunciation of Sunk or Sank

Sank is typically pronounced as /sæŋk/ and sunk as /sʌŋk/. Practicing these pronunciations helps distinguish the words verbally, making it easier to use them correctly.

Origins of Sunk or Sank

“Sank”

The word “sank” as the simple past tense of “sink” has roots in Old English. Originating from the Old English verb “sincan,” meaning “to go down, subside, or fall,” it reflected early senses of downward movement or settling. Over centuries, as English evolved, “sank” became the standard past tense form of sink, marking a completed action in the past. 

The irregular nature of “sank” fits within English’s complex verb patterns, many of which trace back to Germanic influences, where similar verbs often lack the “-ed” ending used for regular verbs.

“Sunk”

The term “sunk” also comes from Old English origins, specifically tied to past participle forms. As language developed, people began using “sunk” with auxiliary verbs like “has” or “had” to show an action with ongoing or completed relevance. This form aligns with other irregular verbs in English, such as “drank” (simple past) and “drunk” (past participle). 

English adopted this split structure for many verbs to provide more nuanced meaning, with sunk offering a way to describe actions connected to another moment or action in time. The distinction allows speakers to more precisely express relationships between events across tenses.

Synonyms of Sunk or Sank

“Sank”

• Dropped
• Descended
• Lowered
• Plummeted
• Fell
• Slipped
• Settled
• Declined
• Plunged
• Submerged

“Sunk”

• Submerged
• Engulfed
• Engrained
• Embedded
• Imbedded
• Buried
• Immersed
• Engulfed
• Entombed
• Mired

Trick to Remember the Difference

Form	Usage	Example
Sank	Simple Past	“The stone sank.”
Sunk	Past Participle with Auxiliary	“The anchor has sunk.”

Easy Ways to Master the Usage of These Words

To master sank vs. sunk, focus on whether an auxiliary verb is needed. Practice forming sentences using both words in context. Reading and listening to sentences aloud also helps reinforce the correct usage.

FAQ’S

• What’s the difference between “sank” and “sunk”?

“Sank” is the simple past tense of “sink,” while “sunk” is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs like “has” or “had.”

• Is “sunk” a past tense word?

Not exactly. “Sunk” is the past participle of “sink,” often used in perfect tenses (e.g., “has sunk”).

• Can I use “sank” with auxiliary verbs?

No, only “sunk” is used with auxiliary verbs.

• Why is “sink” an irregular verb?

“Sink” doesn’t follow the regular “-ed” ending pattern, making it irregular.

• Is “sunk” still used in modern English?

Yes, “sunk” is commonly used, especially in formal and written English.

Conclusion

Understanding sank vs. sunk helps eliminate a common grammar challenge in English. Remember, “sank” is the simple past, while “sunk” is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs. 

By recognizing these differences, you’ll communicate with greater accuracy and confidence. With practice, this irregular verb becomes second nature, helping you to master both spoken and written English.