The simple past tense of "shrink" is shrank.
When discussing the verb "shrink," it's important to differentiate between its simple past form and its past participle, as "shrink" is an irregular verb.
Simple Past Tense: Shrank
The simple past tense form shrank is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. It refers to something that did shrink at a specific point in the past.
- Example: "I shrank your jeans by accidentally washing them in hot water."
- Example: "The company's market share shrank significantly last year."
Past Participle: Shrunk
The past participle form, shrunk, is primarily used with auxiliary verbs (such as "have," "has," or "had") to form perfect tenses (e.g., present perfect, past perfect) or in passive voice constructions.
- Example: "I have shrunk your jeans, so they might not fit anymore."
- Example: "The sweater had shrunk considerably before I realized my mistake."
- Example: "Due to improper washing, the fabric was shrunk."
Why Avoid "Shrinked"?
While the form "shrinked" has appeared in historical texts, notably used by authors like Herman Melville, it is not considered standard or correct in modern English. To maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity, stick to shrank for the simple past and shrunk for the past participle.
Quick Reference: Forms of "Shrink"
Here's a table summarizing the correct forms of "shrink" for different tenses:
| Verb Form | Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | Used for present tense, infinitives, and imperatives | If you're not careful, your clothes will shrink. |
| Simple Past | Describes an action completed in the past | My new shirt shrank after the first wash. |
| Past Participle | Used with auxiliary verbs (have, has, had) or in passive voice | My favorite pair of pants has shrunk beyond recognition. |
Practical Tips for Correct Usage
- Associate "shrank" with direct past action: Think "Yesterday, it shrank."
- Associate "shrunk" with "have/has/had": Think "It has shrunk over time."
- Compare to similar irregular verbs: Many irregular verbs follow a similar pattern (e.g., drink, drank, drunk; sink, sank, sunk), which can help reinforce the correct forms for "shrink."
For more detailed information, you can consult resources such as Merriam-Webster's guide on Shrink vs. Shrank vs. Shrunk vs. Shrinked.
