Sank / Sunk

Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:

SANK / SUNK

Far too many times I have heard or read the word sunk used to mean sank. Think back to the third grade and try to remember:

SINK, SANK, SUNK

Present: Now we sink more enemy ships and watch as they sink into the sea.

Past: Yesterday we sank enemy ships and watched as they sank into the sea.

Perfect: We have sunk many enemy ships. I wonder how many ships have sunk in this sea.

INCORRECT: The soap slipped out of my hand and sunk to the bottom of the tub.

CORRECT: The soap slipped out of my hand and sank to the bottom of the tub.

NOTE: My Merriam-Webster dictionary now lists “sunk” as an alternative to “sank” as the past-tense form of the verb “to sink.” However, especially for more formal writing or speaking, “sank” is still the preferred form.

© 2024 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

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