crawling into bed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crawling into bed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of getting into bed, often implying a sense of tiredness or reluctance. Example: "After a long day at work, I found myself crawling into bed, eager to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Instead of crawling into bed, she threw herself an "Optimist Cocktail Party".

The New York Times

Sometimes I'd leave for school just as my father was crawling into bed to go to sleep, exhausted.

The New York Times

The only cramped part was a sleeping loft that was so shallow, you could bang your head crawling into bed.

The New York Times

She said that allergies bothered her and that she would have preferred crawling into bed for a nap.

The New York Times - Sports

After Mr. Bush's speech, Ms. Thompson says she struggled with being home alone, crawling into bed and crying herself to sleep as she worried about her husband.

The New York Times

Now, we're like crawling into bed thinking, 'I hope my alarm goes off.' " Luckily, the next morning at 4, mine did.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I just wanted to crawl into bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He crawled into bed beside me.

The New Yorker

Exhausted, we finally crawled into bed around 2 00 a.m.

Columbia University

Chastely and improbably, Beth crawls into bed with her.

The New York Times - Books

We later heard ominous creakings as he crawled into bed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crawling into bed" to vividly portray a feeling of exhaustion or reluctance when someone is getting into bed. It's more descriptive than simply "going to bed".

Common error

Avoid using "crawling into bed" when you want to convey a sense of excitement or anticipation about going to bed. The phrase implies fatigue or a lack of enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crawling into bed" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of getting into bed, frequently implying a state of exhaustion or reluctance. Ludwig's examples show its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crawling into bed" is a common gerund phrase used to describe the act of getting into bed, often with connotations of exhaustion or reluctance. Ludwig provides several real-world examples illustrating its usage across varied contexts such as news and media, and even informal content. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct, making it a reliable choice for descriptive writing. While alternatives like "getting into bed" or "slipping into bed" exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use it when portraying weariness rather than anticipation. Overall, it’s a useful phrase to add depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting into bed

Focuses on the simple action of entering the bed, lacking the implied exhaustion.

slipping into bed

Suggests a smooth and effortless transition into bed, different from the effort implied by crawling.

climbing into bed

Implies a more deliberate action of getting into bed, without necessarily suggesting exhaustion.

tumbling into bed

Conveys a sense of falling into bed due to extreme tiredness.

heading to bed

Indicates a direction or intention to go to bed, rather than the actual act.

turning in for the night

A more formal way of saying going to bed for the night.

retiring for the evening

A very formal and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying going to bed.

going to sleep

Focuses on the act of sleeping, rather than the action of getting into bed.

hitting the hay

An informal, idiomatic way of saying going to bed.

drifting off to sleep

Suggests a gradual transition into sleep, rather than the act of getting into bed.

FAQs

How to use "crawling into bed" in a sentence?

Use "crawling into bed" to describe someone getting into bed with a sense of exhaustion or reluctance. For example: "After a long day, I was looking forward to crawling into bed".

What can I say instead of "crawling into bed"?

You can use alternatives like "getting into bed", "slipping into bed", or "climbing into bed" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "crawling into bed" or "crawl into bed"?

"Crawling into bed" (gerund phrase) typically functions as a noun, while "crawl into bed" (verb phrase) is an action. Both are correct, but they have different uses. "Crawling into bed" might describe a habit, while "crawl into bed" describes a specific action.

What's the difference between "crawling into bed" and "going to bed"?

"Crawling into bed" implies a sense of exhaustion or reluctance, suggesting that the person is getting into bed because they are very tired or unwilling. "Going to bed" is a more neutral statement simply indicating that someone is preparing to sleep.