Conjugation of "Drink" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To take liquid into your mouth and swallow it.
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All 12 Tenses of "Drink"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "drink" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I drink |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I drank |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will drink |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am drinking |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was drinking |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be drinking |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have drunk |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had drunk |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have drunk |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been drinking |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been drinking |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been drinking |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Drink" — Drank
The past simple of "drink" is "drank". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "drink" is irregular, "drank" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Drink" — Drunk
The past participle of "drink" is "drunk". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have drunk"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was drunk"). Because "drink" is irregular, "drunk" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Drink" Regular or Irregular?
"Drink" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "drink", past simple "drank", and past participle "drunk". The 3rd-person singular present is "drinks" and the present participle/gerund is "drinking". Conjugation pattern: ablaut: i-a-u.
Conjugation pattern: ablaut: i-a-u
How to Pronounce "Drink" and Its Forms
Drink: /drɪŋk/ — Stress pattern: O
The 'i' sound is short, like in 'sit'. The 'ng' at end is nasal, not 'nk'.
Common mispronunciation of "drink"
Learners sometimes pronounce the 'i' as long (like in 'sweet'), but it is short.
How to Use "Drink" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'drink' with beverages or liquids that people consume.
S + V + O (noun)S + V + from + noun
Example Sentences with "Drink" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: I drink water every morning. A1
- Simple Future: Everyone at the party will drink juice and water. A1
Common Collocations with "Drink"
- drink water — You should drink water regularly.
- drink coffee/tea — She drinks coffee in the morning.
- drink alcohol — He doesn't drink alcohol.
- drink juice — Children like to drink juice.
- drink responsibly — Always drink responsibly.
When to Use "Drink" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- sip — for taking small amounts slowly
- gulp — for swallowing quickly in large amounts
- consume — for formal or technical contexts
Common Mistakes with "Drink"
-
Wrong: She drink milk every day.
Correct: She drinks milk every day.
Add "s" for third-person singular. -
Wrong: I am drink juice now.
Correct: I am drinking juice now.
Use present participle (drinking), not base form. -
Wrong: They drinked too much.
Correct: They drank too much.
Past tense is "drank", not "drinked".
Conjugation Tables for "Drink"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not drink · He does not drink
- Simple past: I did not drink · She did not drink
- Present perfect: I have not drunk · He has not drunk
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you drink? · Does he drink?
- Simple past: Did you drink?
- Present perfect: Have you drunk?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is drunk
- Simple past passive: It was drunk
- Present perfect passive: It has been drunk
Frequently Asked Questions About "Drink"
- Is "drink" regular or irregular?
- "drink" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "drank" and past participle is "drunk". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "drink"?
- The simple past of "drink" is "drank".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "drink"?
- The past simple is "drank" and the past participle is "drunk". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I drank yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have drunk").
- What's a common mistake with "drink"?
- Add "s" for third-person singular. Wrong: "She drink milk every day." Correct: "She drinks milk every day."