What is the correct past tense of stink? Stank? Stunk? As in "it really stunk." "It really stank."
Thanks, grammar gurus!
Thanks, grammar gurus!
A Stinky Question
- Thread starter Sandi LeFaucheur
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they are both past tense
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
stunk
/stʌŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[stuhngk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb a pt. and pp. of stink.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
stank
/stæŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[stangk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, –verb a pt. of stink.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
stunk
/stʌŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[stuhngk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb a pt. and pp. of stink. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
stank
/stæŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[stangk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, –verb a pt. of stink.
If it's nonfiction, then yeah, you do need to get it right.
If it's dialog, use whatever word the character would use. Don't worry about being correct unless the character would worry about that.
If it's narrative, you're telling. Try showing, perhaps something like, "She gagged when the stench hit her."
If it's dialog, use whatever word the character would use. Don't worry about being correct unless the character would worry about that.
If it's narrative, you're telling. Try showing, perhaps something like, "She gagged when the stench hit her."
It's non-fiction--obviously written in a conversational tone--so it must be correct.
The dictionary just showed both as being past tense, hence my question!
My grammar is usually good--indeed, I'm seen as the grammar guru at work--but past participles were handled in grade 7, which was (heavenly days!) 40 years ago. I have great respect for those on the board who can still bandy around the correct names for parts of speech!
So I'm correct with stank?
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