The term "v2 form" refers to the simple past tense of a verb. In the case of sank, it is important to understand that sank is already the v2 form (simple past tense) of the irregular verb "sink."
Understanding Verb Forms
English verbs typically have three main forms, often referred to as V1, V2, and V3:
- V1 (Base Form/Present Tense): The infinitive form of the verb, used for the simple present tense (e.g., sink, walk, eat).
- V2 (Simple Past Tense): The form used to describe actions completed in the past (e.g., sank, walked, ate).
- V3 (Past Participle): The form used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" to create perfect tenses (e.g., sunk, walked, eaten). It's also used in passive voice constructions.
The Verb "Sink"
For the verb "sink," its forms are:
| Verb Form | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| V1 | Sink | The base form or present tense. |
| V2 | Sank | The simple past tense. According to Vedantu, "The past tense of the verb sink is sank." This form is used for actions that occurred and were completed at a specific time in the past. |
| V3 | Sunk | The past participle. As stated by Vedantu, "The past participle of the word sink is sunk." This form is typically used with auxiliary verbs (like has, have, had) to form perfect tenses or in passive constructions. |
Examples in Sentences
To further clarify the usage of 'sank' and 'sunk':
-
Using 'sank' (V2 - Simple Past):
- Last week, the ship sank to the bottom of the ocean.
- The stone sank quickly in the pond.
- His spirits sank when he heard the bad news.
-
Using 'sunk' (V3 - Past Participle):
- The submarine has previously sunk many times for testing purposes. (Present Perfect)
- By the time rescue arrived, the vessel had sunk completely. (Past Perfect)
- The treasure was found in a previously sunk ship. (Used as an adjective)
In summary, when asked for the "v2 form of sank," it means acknowledging that 'sank' is already the simple past tense (v2) of its base verb, 'sink.'
