What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scuttle
Example
The mouse scuttled across the room and disappeared behind the sofa. [scuttled: verb]
Example
The sailors scuttled the ship to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. [scuttled: past tense]
Example
The company decided to scuttle the project due to budget constraints. [scuttle: verb]
sink
Example
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. [sank: past tense]
Example
I accidentally sank my phone in the swimming pool. [sank: verb]
Example
The company's profits began to sink after the economic downturn. [sink: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sink is more commonly used than scuttle in everyday language. Sink is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scuttle is less common and has more specific meanings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scuttle and sink?
Both scuttle and sink are versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.