Drank vs. Drunk

Attribute	Drank	Drunk
Definition	To have consumed a liquid	To be intoxicated from alcohol
Form	Verb (past tense)	Adjective
Usage	Commonly used in casual conversation	Commonly used in formal and informal settings
Connotation	Neutral	Negative

Definition

Drank and drunk are two words that are often confused due to their similar spellings and meanings. However, they have distinct differences in terms of usage and context. Drank is the past tense of the verb "drink," while drunk is the past participle of the same verb. This means that drank is used when referring to the act of consuming a liquid in the past, while drunk is used when describing the state of being intoxicated from alcohol consumption.

Usage

Drank is typically used in sentences where the action of drinking has already taken place. For example, "She drank a glass of water before going to bed." On the other hand, drunk is used to describe the state of being intoxicated, as in "He was drunk after drinking too much at the party." It is important to note that drunk can also be used as an adjective to describe a person who is habitually intoxicated, as in "He is a drunkard."

Conjugation

When conjugating the verb "drink," it is important to remember the different forms of the past tense and past participle. The base form of the verb is "drink," the past tense is "drank," and the past participle is "drunk." This can be confusing for non-native English speakers, as the irregular conjugation does not follow the typical pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense and past participle.

Colloquial Usage

In colloquial English, both drank and drunk are commonly used interchangeably, especially in informal settings. However, in formal writing and speech, it is important to use the correct form based on the context. Using the wrong form can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, so it is best to adhere to the standard rules of grammar when communicating in a professional setting.

Etymology

The words drank and drunk have different origins and histories. Drank comes from the Old English word "drincan," which means to drink. It has been used in the English language for centuries to refer to the past tense of the verb "drink." On the other hand, drunk comes from the Middle English word "drunken," which means intoxicated. It has been used to describe the state of being inebriated since the 14th century.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake that people make when using drank and drunk is using them incorrectly in sentences. For example, saying "He was drank too much at the party" is incorrect, as drank should be used as the past tense of drink, not as a past participle. Another mistake is using drunk as the past tense of drink, as in "She drunk a glass of water." This is incorrect, as drunk should only be used as the past participle.

Examples

Here are some examples of how to correctly use drank and drunk in sentences:

• Correct: She drank a cup of tea before going to bed.
• Correct: He had drunk too much wine and was feeling sick.
• Incorrect: He was drank too much at the party.
• Incorrect: She drunk a glass of water before leaving the house.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while drank and drunk may seem similar, they have distinct differences in terms of usage and meaning. Drank is the past tense of the verb "drink," while drunk is the past participle. It is important to use the correct form based on the context to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. By understanding the differences between these two words, you can communicate more effectively and accurately in both spoken and written English.