drifted back to sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drifted back to sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of falling asleep again after having briefly woken up. Example: "After hearing the thunder, she briefly woke up but then drifted back to sleep, comforted by the sound of the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

If Europe does not choose someone of his stature, it will be the first sign it has drifted back to sleep.

The Economist

I smiled back, mumbled something in French, my native language, and almost drifted back to sleep, thinking I was at the beginning of a really good dream.

The New York Times

She drifted back to sleep, imagining the man running his finger down the white pages, hoping to prey upon some other sleep-deprived New Yorker.

The New York Times

I thought I must have imagined it, and drifted back to sleep, and it wasn't until a couple of hours later that I went down.

The Guardian - Music

Still, it was only rain, and I would have drifted back to sleep but for the fact that the sky was brightly lit to the north, where the mountains lie.

The New Yorker

As he drifted back to sleep, the snorting bear returned, bent on sampling the contents of the well-stocked cooler that Mr. Rezendes had stashed at the far end of his camp.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She shifted a bit, wrapping her hand around my index finger before drifting back to sleep.

The New York Times

I flash back to the snow days of my own childhood, in Connecticut: news on the radio, drifting back to sleep, and waking to the rasp of metal shovels on ice, afternoons spent sledding down hills of pine.

The New Yorker

A couple of times Dawn took her personal laptop into his room, and I'd see him in his bed, and he'd wave his good hand, look at me for a bit, smile wanly, then drift back to sleep.

The New York Times

Mary Beth Usinowicz, a data coordinator for a pharmaceutical firm who lives in San Francisco, uses her Ecotones not to get to sleep initially, but to help her drift back to sleep after she awakens during the night.

The New York Times

But, after a while, Dr. Wehr noticed that subjects began to wake up a little after midnight, lie awake for a couple of hours, and then drift back to sleep again, in the same pattern of segmented sleep that Professor Ekirch saw referenced in historical records and early works of literature.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drifted back to sleep" to describe a gentle or gradual return to sleep after a brief awakening, especially when emphasizing the ease or involuntariness of the action.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, avoid using "drifted back to sleep" in formal or academic contexts where a more direct term like "fell back asleep" or "returned to sleep" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drifted back to sleep" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an idiomatic expression. It describes the action of returning to a state of sleep, typically after a brief period of wakefulness. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drifted back to sleep" is a grammatically sound and idiomatic way to describe the gentle return to a sleeping state, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally suitable for neutral to informal contexts, more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "fell back asleep". Predominantly found in news and media, and wiki sources, this expression paints a picture of peaceful slumber, highlighting the ease and tranquility of the transition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell back asleep

This alternative is a more direct and common way of expressing the return to sleep.

went back to sleep

A simpler and more straightforward alternative.

slipped back into sleep

Implies a gentle and gradual return to sleep.

drifted off to sleep once more

Adds a sense of finality or repetition to the act of falling asleep.

returned to slumber

Uses a more formal and literary term (slumber) for sleep.

dozed off again

Emphasizes the lightness of the sleep and the ease of falling back.

reverted to sleep

Emphasizes the idea of going back to a previous state.

relapsed into sleep

Suggests a less conscious control over falling back asleep.

succumbed to sleep again

Highlights the overpowering nature of sleep.

lapsed back into unconsciousness

Focuses on the loss of consciousness associated with sleep.

FAQs

What does "drifted back to sleep" mean?

The phrase "drifted back to sleep" describes the act of gently and gradually falling asleep again after being briefly awake. It suggests a peaceful and almost involuntary return to a sleeping state.

What can I say instead of "drifted back to sleep"?

You can use alternatives like "fell back asleep", "went back to sleep", or "slipped back into sleep" depending on the context.

Is "drifted back to sleep" formal or informal?

"Drifted back to sleep" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "returned to sleep" or "fell back asleep".

How to use "drifted back to sleep" in a sentence?

Example: "After hearing the thunder, she briefly woke up but then "drifted back to sleep", comforted by the sound of the rain."