Drank vs. Drunk: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on October 26, 2023
Drank is the past tense of "drink," indicating the action of consuming a liquid. Drunk is the past participle of "drink," used with auxiliary verbs or as an adjective for intoxication.
Key Differences
Drank signifies the action of drinking in the past. It is used without auxiliary verbs. Drunk is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses or as an adjective to describe intoxication.
In sentences, drank is used for simple past actions: "He drank water." Drunk is used in perfect tenses: "He has drunk water."
Drank does not convey intoxication. It simply denotes the action of consuming a liquid. Drunk can indicate the state of being intoxicated: "He is drunk."
While drank is solely a verb, drunk serves a dual role as both a verb and an adjective. This adds versatility to its usage.
In English grammar, drank is straightforward in its application. However, drunk requires careful consideration of context, particularly when implying intoxication.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Simple past tense verb.
Past participle verb and adjective.
Usage with Auxiliary Verbs
Does not use auxiliary verbs.
Often used with auxiliary verbs.
Indication of Intoxication
Does not indicate intoxication.
Can indicate intoxication as an adjective.
Tense and Aspect
Used for simple past actions.
Used in perfect tenses or as an adjective.
Example in a Sentence
"She drank tea yesterday."
"She has drunk tea." / "He is drunk."
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Drank and Drunk Definitions
Drank
Simple past action of drinking.
She drank coffee in the morning.
Drunk
Verb form in perfect tenses.
They have drunk all the juice.
Drank
Verb expressing past drinking.
He drank his soda too fast.
Drunk
Describing excessive alcohol consumption.
He got drunk quickly.
Drank
Completed action of liquid consumption.
They drank the lemonade quickly.
Drunk
Past participle of drink, used with auxiliary verbs.
She has never drunk coffee.
Drank
Historical action of liquid intake.
We drank tea last night.
Drunk
State of being intoxicated.
She felt sick because she was drunk.
Drank
Past tense of drink, indicating the act of consuming a liquid.
I drank a glass of water.
Drunk
Adjective describing intoxication.
He was drunk after the party.
Drank
Past tense of drink.
Drunk
Past participle of drink.
FAQs
What does drank mean?
Drank is the past tense of drink, indicating the action of consuming a liquid in the past.
Is drunk always related to alcohol?
As a verb, drunk is not exclusively related to alcohol, but as an adjective, it usually refers to alcohol-induced intoxication.
Can drank be used with auxiliary verbs?
No, drank is used without auxiliary verbs.
How is drunk used in a sentence?
Drunk can be used as a past participle with auxiliary verbs ("She has drunk water") or as an adjective to describe intoxication ("He is drunk").
How do I use drank in a sentence?
Use drank for simple past actions: "He drank a cup of tea."
Is drunk a verb or an adjective?
Drunk can be both: a past participle verb in perfect tenses and an adjective describing intoxication.
Can drank refer to future actions?
No, drank is specifically for past actions.
Is drunk formal or informal language?
Drunk is standard in both formal and informal language, depending on context.
What is an example of drunk as an adjective?
"She was too drunk to drive home safely."
Can I use drank in present perfect tense?
No, use drunk in present perfect tense: "They have drunk all the milk."
Is it grammatically correct to say "He drunk a lot"?
No, the correct form is "He drank a lot."
Is drunk used in past perfect tense?
Yes, drunk is used in past perfect tense: "They had drunk the water before I arrived."
Can I use drank with "has" or "have"?
No, use drunk with "has" or "have": "She has drunk the juice."
Can drank indicate intoxication?
No, drank simply denotes the action of drinking and does not imply intoxication.
Is it correct to say "I have drank"?
No, the correct form is "I have drunk."
Does drunk always mean a negative state?
As an adjective, drunk typically conveys a negative state of intoxication.
Does drank have any meanings besides drinking?
No, drank specifically refers to the act of drinking in the past.
When do I use drunk instead of drank?
Use drunk with auxiliary verbs for perfect tenses or as an adjective for intoxication.
Can drank and drunk be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different grammatical purposes and are not interchangeable.
Is it correct to say "I got drank last night"?
No, the correct expression is "I got drunk last night."
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
