as he slept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he slept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that occurred during the time someone was sleeping. Example: "The storm raged outside as he slept, unaware of the chaos unfolding around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little bat breathing as he slept on the wall.

The New York Times

A jaguar killed one of the children as he slept.

The New York Times

Sometimes, as he slept, we ate and watched TV.

The Guardian - Tech

As he slept he realized that it was real.

The New Yorker

Last October, Taylor's ankle was shattered by a bullet as he slept in his house.

The New Yorker

For 81 days two guards observed him at all times, even as he slept.

The Economist

When I looked down at his face as he slept on my chest, I saw myself.

The New York Times

As he slept, Delilah had his hair cut and betrayed him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was bitten by some kind of rodent as he slept.

The Guardian

On Jan . 26 , 1824four armed men crept into Worth's cabin as he slept.

The New York Times - Books

We pulled in spare mattresses into his room and slept by him as he slept.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to choose the most appropriate alternative. For example, use "during his sleep" when focusing on the sleep period itself, rather than a specific action.

Common error

Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates who is sleeping. Misplaced modifiers can create confusion. Incorrect: "Exhausted, the cat jumped on him as he slept." Correct: "Exhausted, he slept, while the cat jumped on him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he slept" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main verb in the sentence by specifying when the action occurred. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as he slept" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial clause used to indicate that an event occurred while someone was in a state of sleep. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to provide temporal context and heighten the sense of vulnerability. Alternatives like "while he was sleeping" or "during his sleep" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. When writing with "as he slept", ensure the sentence structure avoids ambiguity to clearly indicate who is sleeping.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he was sleeping

Replaces the conjunction "as" with "while", maintaining the same temporal relationship and implying simultaneous action.

asleep in his bed

Combines the state of being asleep with the location.

during his sleep

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate the time frame, focusing on the period of sleep itself.

in his slumber

Employs a more poetic term, "slumber", to describe the state of sleep, adding a touch of elegance.

during his repose

Uses a formal term "repose" which is another way of saying sleep.

while he was in bed

Specifies the location of sleep, emphasizing the physical setting.

as he was dozing

Suggests a lighter state of sleep, implying a less deep or restful state.

in his dreams

Shifts the focus to the dream state, implying events occurring within the dream rather than in the external world.

during the night

Broader time frame, not necessarily implying sleep but indicating events occurring at nighttime.

while unconscious

Focuses on the lack of awareness, a more clinical or detached perspective.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "as he slept"?

You can use alternatives like "while he was sleeping", "during his sleep", or "in his slumber" depending on the context.

Is "as he slept" grammatically correct?

Yes, "as he slept" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adverbial clause indicating the timing of an event in relation to someone's sleep. Ludwig AI confirms it as a standard construction.

How can I use "as he slept" in a sentence?

You can use "as he slept" to describe an action or event that happened while someone was sleeping. For example, "The fire alarm went off "as he slept"."

What's the difference between "as he slept" and "while he was sleeping"?

While both phrases are similar, "as he slept" often implies a more immediate or simultaneous occurrence, while "while he was sleeping" can refer to a more extended period. The difference is subtle, but "as" can create a sense of immediacy.