Hey there! So, you’re wondering if “stunk” or “stinked” is the correct past tense form of the verb “stink.” Well, I’m here to help you clear up any confusion!
Let’s start by looking at the verb “stink” itself. When we use this verb, we typically mean that something has a strong and unpleasant odor. It’s something we experience with our sense of smell. Now, when it comes to forming the past tense, things can get a little tricky.
The past tense of most regular verbs in English is formed by adding “-ed” to the base form. For example, “I walked to the store yesterday.” However, “stink” is one of those irregular verbs that doesn’t follow this pattern. Instead, it undergoes a vowel change in the past tense.
In this case, the correct past tense form is “stank.” So, you would say, “The garbage smelled so bad that it stank up the whole house.” Notice how we don’t say “stinked,” but rather “stank.”
Now, you might be thinking, “But wait! I’ve heard people say ‘stunk’ before. Is that wrong?” Well, not exactly. While “stunk” is not considered the standard past tense form of “stink,” it is still used by some native English speakers in certain dialects and informal settings.
Think of it this way: “stunk” is like the quirky cousin of “stank.” It’s not the traditional form, but it’s still understood by native speakers. It’s a bit like saying “sneaked” versus “snuck” or “dived” versus “dove.” Both forms are used and understood, but one is considered more standard.
Let’s learn some examples to make things clearer:
1. Correct: “The garbage smelled so foul that it stank up the whole street.”
2. Correct (informal): “Ugh, what’s that smell? It stunk up the entire room!”
3. Incorrect: “The fish really stinked yesterday.” (Use “stank” instead.)
Now, if you’re preparing for the IELTS exam or any formal context, it’s wise to stick with the standard form, which is “stank.” So, whether it’s speaking or writing, try to use “stank” to demonstrate your grasp of proper English grammar.
To sum it up, “stank” is the correct past tense form of “stink,” but some people also use “stunk” informally. So, if you want to play it safe, go for “stank” and impress your friends with your grammatical prowess!
I hope this explanation has cleared up any confusion you had. Keep practicing, and I’m sure you’ll master the English language in no time. Good luck with your studies!