fast asleep

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is sleeping in a deep and peaceful manner, such as "My grandfather was fast asleep in his armchair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— fast asleep.

The New York Times - Food

Fast asleep.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was fast asleep.

Independent

Our leaders are fast asleep.

The New York Times

Soon he is fast asleep.

The Guardian

Most people are fast asleep.

The New York Times - Magazine

All ends well and fast asleep.

The New York Times - Books

"You were fast asleep when I came".

The New Yorker

Soon the addicts were fast asleep.

The New York Times

At midday, he was fast asleep.

The New York Times

Fischer and Spassky must be fast asleep".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fast asleep" to vividly describe someone in a state of profound sleep, suggesting they are not easily awakened. It's particularly effective in narratives to emphasize tranquility or unawareness.

Common error

Avoid using "fast asleep" when the context implies light or interrupted sleep. The phrase suggests a deep, undisturbed slumber, so it's unsuitable for situations where someone is easily roused or only dozing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fast asleep" is that of a predicate adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun (often a subject) to describe its state. Ludwig examples show it is used to describe the state of a person being in a profound state of sleep.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fast asleep" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone in a deep state of sleep. Ludwig AI affirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily within the News & Media category. It serves to indicate a state of peacefulness or unawareness. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "sound asleep" or "deep in slumber", "fast asleep" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the depth of sleep intended, avoiding situations where the sleep is light or easily disturbed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound asleep

This alternative is a more direct synonym, emphasizing the quality of the sleep as deep and undisturbed.

in a deep sleep

This alternative uses a more literal description, highlighting the depth of the sleep.

sleeping soundly

This alternative focuses on the peaceful and undisturbed nature of the sleep.

peacefully sleeping

This alternative emphasizes the tranquil nature of the sleep.

slumbering deeply

This alternative uses a more evocative verb to describe the profound nature of sleep.

deep in slumber

This alternative uses more formal and literary language to describe a state of deep sleep.

out like a light

This alternative is an idiomatic expression indicating a sudden and complete entry into sleep.

dead to the world

This alternative is a more emphatic idiom, suggesting a complete unawareness of surroundings due to sleep.

completely unconscious

This alternative focuses on the lack of awareness, which is a result of deep sleep.

lost in dreams

This alternative highlights the immersive experience of dreaming during sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "fast asleep" in a sentence?

You can use "fast asleep" to describe someone who is sleeping deeply and peacefully. For example, "The baby was "fast asleep" in her crib."

What's a more formal way to say "fast asleep"?

While "fast asleep" is widely acceptable, more formal alternatives include "deep in slumber" or "sleeping soundly". These options add a touch of elegance to your writing.

Is "fast asleep" interchangeable with "sound asleep"?

Yes, ""fast asleep"" and "sound asleep" are often used interchangeably to describe someone in a deep, restful sleep.

What are some idiomatic alternatives to "fast asleep"?

Idiomatic alternatives include "out like a light" or "dead to the world", both suggesting a very deep and oblivious sleep.