Words / A2

uh-SLEEP/əˈsliːp/

Asleep means sleeping: fall asleep, fast asleep, half asleep. Sleep is the noun or verb. Awake is the opposite. A sleep (two words) is not the usual pattern. Do not write asleep when you mean a sleep, or asleep vs a sheep.

Meaning

Sleeping.

Examples

• “The baby fell asleep on the afternoon train.”
• “He fell asleep before the plane even took off.”
• “The cabin was quiet; everyone was already asleep.”

Good to know

fall asleep / fast asleep. Opposite: awake. Mix-up: a sleep (two words).

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