at bedtime

USAGE SUMMARY

'at bedtime' is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: I usually brush my teeth at bedtime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But not at bedtime.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately they quarrel at bedtime.

The New Yorker

No tears at bedtime, though.

The Guardian - Sport

No more tears at bedtime.

The Guardian - Sport

Spend extra time with children at bedtime.

The New York Times - Health

You have to take it at bedtime".

The New York Times

I caught bits of "Seinfeld" at bedtime.

The New York Times - Arts

Not like the evil Book at Bedtime.

The Guardian

My app isn't replacing parents at bedtime.

The Guardian

"I don't want your help at bedtime anymore," he said.

The New Yorker

But her dark, distant mood returned at bedtime.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to take medication or apply a cream, using "at bedtime" provides a clear and easily understood timeframe for compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "at night" when the action specifically refers to the period right before sleep. "At night" is broader; "at bedtime" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at bedtime" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in indicating routines, treatments, or activities carried out close to sleep.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at bedtime" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to specify the time right before going to sleep. It functions as an adverbial phrase of time and is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While alternatives like "before sleep" or "upon retiring" exist, "at bedtime" provides a clear and easily understood temporal reference. The phrase appears frequently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before going to bed

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the action preceding sleep.

just before sleep

Adds emphasis on the immediacy before sleep.

before sleep

Focuses on the timing relative to the act of sleeping, rather than the specific time designated as bedtime.

when going to bed

Highlights the action of going to bed as the relevant time marker.

upon retiring

A more formal way of saying "at bedtime", often used in written contexts.

as one goes to sleep

Emphasizes the transition into sleep.

prior to slumber

Replaces "bedtime" with the more poetic "slumber".

before sleep commences

A very formal and somewhat clinical way of saying "at bedtime".

at night

A broader term that refers to the entire night, not specifically the time around going to bed.

in the evening

Refers to a time earlier than bedtime, encompassing the period before sleep but not necessarily right before.

FAQs

How can I use "at bedtime" in a sentence?

You can use "at bedtime" to indicate when something should be done or when something typically occurs before sleep. For instance, "I read a book "at bedtime"" or "Take this medicine "at bedtime"."

What's the difference between "at bedtime" and "at night"?

"At night" refers to any time during the evening or night, while "at bedtime" specifically refers to the time right before going to sleep. Therefore, ""at bedtime"" is more specific.

What can I say instead of "at bedtime"?

You can use alternatives like "before sleep", "before going to bed", or "upon retiring" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in bedtime" instead of "at bedtime"?

No, it is not correct. The correct preposition to use with "bedtime" to indicate a specific time is "at". Therefore, the correct phrase is ""at bedtime"".