What is the past tense of "sink"?

The past simple of "sink" is "sank". The boat will sink if we take on water.

What is a common mistake with "sink"?

Wrong: "The ship sank down slowly.". Correct: "The ship sank slowly.". 'Down' is redundant; sink already implies downward motion.

How do you pronounce "sink"?

/sɪŋk/ — One syllable with short 'i' sound like 'in'.

Conjugation of "Sink" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: What is the past participle of "sink"?

The past participle of "sink" is "sunk". Use it after have/has/had: "I have sunk".

Q: Is "sink" regular or irregular?

"Sink" is an irregular English verb. Pattern: irregular: sank/sunk.

Look up another verb

All 12 Tenses of "Sink"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "sink" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I sink`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I sinked`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will sink`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am sinking`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was sinking`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be sinking`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have sinked`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had sinked`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have sinked`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been sinking`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been sinking`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been sinking`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Sink" — Sank

The past simple of "sink" is "sank". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "sink" is irregular, "sank" 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 "Sink" — Sunk

The past participle of "sink" is "sunk". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have sunk"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was sunk"). Because "sink" is irregular, "sunk" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.

Is "Sink" Regular or Irregular?

"Sink" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "sink", past simple "sank", and past participle "sunk". The 3rd-person singular present is "sinks" and the present participle/gerund is "sinking". Conjugation pattern: irregular: sank/sunk.

Conjugation pattern: irregular: sank/sunk

How to Pronounce "Sink" and Its Forms

Sink: /sɪŋk/ — Stress pattern: O

One syllable with short 'i' sound like 'in'.

How to Use "Sink" — Common Grammar Patterns

Remember irregular forms: sank (past), sunk (participle).

S + sink
S + sink + into
S + sink + or swim

Example Sentences with "Sink" in Different Tenses

Simple Future: The boat will sink if we take on water. A2

Common Collocations with "Sink"

sink or swim
sink down
sink into
sink ship
sink fast

When to Use "Sink" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

descend — move downward through air or space
submerge — go completely under liquid
plunge — dive or fall suddenly downward

Antonyms: float, rise

Common Mistakes with "Sink"

Wrong: She sink often.
Correct: She sinks often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Sink"

From Old English sincan, related to soak.

Conjugation Tables for "Sink"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not sink · He does not sink
Simple past: I did not sink · She did not sink
Present perfect: I have not sunk · He has not sunk

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you sink? · Does he sink?
Simple past: Did you sink?
Present perfect: Have you sunk?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is sunk
Simple past passive: It was sunk
Present perfect passive: It has been sunk

Frequently Asked Questions About "Sink"

Is "sink" regular or irregular?: "sink" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "sinked" and past participle is "sinked". You must memorize these forms.
What is the past tense of "sink"?: The simple past of "sink" is "sinked".
Are the past simple and past participle the same for "sink"?: Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "sinked".