Which is correct usage: the boat sank or the boat sunk?

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Grammar usage and syntax

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	Which is correct usage: the boat sank or the boat sunk? By keithold thanks all baggers Asked Nov 1 2009 6:39PM	30 Pts Rate Question

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Top Answer out of 11

by Gene H on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:40 pm Permalink

Past tense - the boat sank.

Past perfect tense - the boat sunk

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keithold thanks all baggers Nov, 01 2009 at 06:45 PM

Thanks Gene.

Answer 2 out of 11

by gwh6552 on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:43 pm Permalink

Sorry, Gene H, but I'm pretty sure that it's
Past tense: the boat sank
Past perfect tense: the boat has sunk

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gwh6552 Nov, 01 2009 at 07:10 PM

Whew! Thanks, Marguerite. I was sure, but not sure that I was sure. You know what I mean?

Marguerite Nov, 01 2009 at 07:14 PM

Grammar is tricky.

gwh6552 Nov, 01 2009 at 07:26 PM

It certainly can be. I recently had to ask a former-English-teacher friend which form of i-t-s gets the apostrophe: the possessive or the contraction. After all these years I suddenly couldn't remember. She said it's the contraction. I feel much better now.

Answer 3 out of 11

by KikiSpaghetti on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:41 pm Permalink

I think that they are interchangeable. "The boat sank before my eyes", "The boat sunk before my eyes". Sank sounds better, but I don't think it matters. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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keithold thanks all baggers Nov, 01 2009 at 06:45 PM

Thanks Kiki for your answer.

Answer 4 out of 11

by Marguerite on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:40 pm Permalink

The boat sank.

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keithold thanks all baggers Nov, 01 2009 at 06:45 PM

Thanks Marguerite.

Marguerite Nov, 01 2009 at 06:51 PM

Welcome! ++

Answer 5 out of 11

by Dodgy Dog in a Sable COAT on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:47 pm Permalink

But the boat hasn't sunk. The boat nearly sank but we managed to save it.

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Dodgy Dog in a Sable COAT Nov, 01 2009 at 06:54 PM

-DR? What for?

Answer 6 out of 11

by calicorey on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:50 pm Permalink

the boat sank

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Answer 7 out of 11

by nutmegcollector on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:46 pm Permalink

The boat sank.

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Answer 8 out of 11

by MNGMUA on Nov 1, 2009 at 6:45 pm Permalink

I say the boat sank

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Answer 9 out of 11

by Jack wears love COAT on Nov 2, 2009 at 3:16 am Permalink

Does it matter? C'mon... get some help guys!! :)

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Answer 10 out of 11

by Lynn-has a Cold Heart on Nov 1, 2009 at 7:20 pm Permalink

the boat sunk

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