Drank vs Drunk
What’s the difference between them?
Drank
Meaning:
(verb) past tense of drink; to consume (a liquid) by swallowing.
Examples:
1. He drank the whole bottle of wine in one sitting.
2. She drank a cup of tea before bedtime.
3. They drank from a shared pitcher of margaritas.
Drunk
Meaning:
Under the influence of alcohol to the point of impaired judgment and behavior; past participle of drink.
Examples:
1. He had too much to drink and was now totally drunk.
2. The drunk man stumbled down the street, singing loudly.
3. She was not used to drinking and became drunk after one beer.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Drank
1. Quaffed
2. Consumed
3. Slurped
4. Ingested
5. Partook of a beverage
1. Abstained
2. Sober
3. Refrained
4. Rejected
5. Avoided
Drunk
1. Intoxicated
2. Inebriated
3. Tipsy
4. Imbibed
5. Under the Influence
1. Sober
2. Abstinent
3. Clear-headed
4. Stone-cold sober
5. Temperate
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Drank", "Drunk".
1. The main distinction between the words 'drank' and 'drunk' is the tense.
2. 'Drank' is the past tense of the verb 'drink.'
3. 'Drunk' is the past participle of the verb 'drink.'
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Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The first word, 'drank', should be used when referring to the past tense of the verb 'drink', meaning to consume a liquid by swallowing. It is also used to describe an action that has already been taken.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The second word, 'drunk', can be used to describe someone who is under the influence of alcohol to the point of impaired judgment and behaviour. It is generally used in contexts referring to individuals’ state of intoxication.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The first word, 'drank', has a longer ‘a’ sound, while the second word, 'drunk', has a shorter ‘u’ sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these words is confusing the two words and using the wrong one in the wrong context. Another mistake is mispronouncing the words, either by using the wrong sound for the vowels or by stressing the wrong syllable.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. After the party, he realized he had _____ too much and couldnt drive home.
2. She felt thirsty and _____ a whole glass of water.
3. He shouldnt have driven; he was clearly _____.
4. After they _____ their coffees, they decided to go for a walk.
5. I have never _____ so much soda in one day.
6. By the time I arrived, they had already _____ all the wine.
1. After the party, he realized he had drunk too much and couldnt drive home.
Explanation: Here, the correct form is drunk because its the past participle form used with the auxiliary had.
2. She felt thirsty and drank a whole glass of water.
Explanation: Drank is the simple past tense of drink, which indicates a completed action in the past.
3. He shouldnt have driven; he was clearly drunk.
Explanation: In this sentence, drunk is an adjective meaning under the influence of alcohol.
4. After they drank their coffees, they decided to go for a walk.
Explanation: Drank is used here as its the simple past tense, indicating a completed action before they decided to walk.
5. I have never drank/drunk so much soda in one day.
Explanation: Both drank and drunk could be accepted here, though drunk would be more standard as the past participle with have. Some native speakers might use drank informally in such contexts.
6. By the time I arrived, they had already drunk all the wine.
Explanation: Drunk is used because its the past participle form paired with the auxiliary had.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.