While "sunken" primarily functions as an adjective, the past participle of the verb "sink"—from which "sunken" is derived—is sunk.
Understanding "Sunken" and "Sunk"
In modern English, the forms related to the verb "sink" can be a source of confusion due to their distinct grammatical roles.
The Verb "Sink" and Its Forms
The verb "to sink" is an irregular verb with specific forms for its past simple tense and past participle:
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base Form | The boat will sink if it takes on too much water. |
| Past Simple | The Titanic sank in 1912. |
| Past Participle | Many ships have sunk in that stormy sea. |
As the table shows, sunk is the correct past participle form of the verb "sink."
The Role of "Sunken"
The form sunken is primarily used as an adjective. It describes something that has gone down or is lower than its surroundings. It is no longer considered a standard past participle in modern English.
- Examples of "sunken" as an adjective:
- A sunken garden (a garden built below ground level).
- Her eyes looked sunken from lack of sleep (eyes that appear to have receded into the head).
- They explored the sunken ship at the bottom of the ocean.
When to Use "Sunk" vs. "Sunken"
To ensure correct usage, consider the grammatical function you need:
-
Use "sunk" when:
- Forming perfect tenses with auxiliary verbs (have, has, had).
- The treasure chest had sunk to the seabed.
- The ship has sunk completely.
- Forming the passive voice with a form of "to be."
- The ship was sunk by a torpedo.
- The hopes of the team were sunk after the final goal.
- Forming perfect tenses with auxiliary verbs (have, has, had).
-
Use "sunken" when:
- Describing a noun as an adjective, indicating a state of being low or having gone down.
- We visited a beautiful sunken plaza.
- His face was pale, with sunken cheeks.
- Describing a noun as an adjective, indicating a state of being low or having gone down.
Common Misconceptions
It's important to distinguish "sunk" (past participle) from "sank" (simple past tense). While phrases like "It never truly sunk in" are occasionally heard, the grammatically standard past tense is "sank" (e.g., "It never truly sank in for me"). However, "sunk" is unequivocally the past participle form.
In summary, when referring to the past participle of the action of "sinking," sunk is the correct form. "Sunken" functions as a descriptive adjective.
