What is the Past Tense of “shrink”?

Answer: The past tense of “shrink” is “shrank” or “shrunk.” Both forms are considered correct and interchangeable.

Here are some key points about their usage:

• “Shrank” and “shrunk” are both past tense forms of “shrink,” indicating a decrease in size or volume.
• “Shrank” follows a regular pattern of forming the past tense in English by adding “-ank” to the base form of the verb, while “shrunk” follows an irregular pattern.
• Example using “shrank”:
  • “The wool sweater shrank in the wash.”
  • “The fabric shrank after I washed it in hot water.”
• Example using “shrunk”:
  • “The jeans have shrunk after being dried in the dryer.”
  • “The fabric has shrunk after being washed in hot water.”
• Understanding the past tense of “shrink” is essential for expressing past instances of reduction in size or volume.
• Mastering both past tense forms allows for effective communication about past experiences involving items becoming smaller.
• Whether discussing laundry mishaps or changes in material properties, using either “shrank” or “shrunk” ensures clarity and accuracy in communication.

In summary, “shrank” and “shrunk” serve as past tense forms of “shrink,” facilitating the expression of past reductions in size or volume and contributing to effective communication in English.