for a sleepover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a sleepover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an event where someone stays overnight at another person's home, typically for social or recreational purposes. Example: "I invited my friends over for a sleepover this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For a sleepover.

The New York Times

Peggy brings Dawn home for a sleepover.

The New Yorker

We were OK with Syrians coming for a sleepover.

The Guardian - Opinion

Joel has a friend round for a sleepover.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In May, the girls convinced Leutner to come to their house for a sleepover.

The Guardian

One recent evening, two Barnard students asked if they could take Macintosh home for a sleepover.

The New York Times

At 6 my son's friend Shakille is coming over for a sleepover.

The New York Times

One moment, we're watching Frankie being dropped off with Cindy's father (John Doman) for a sleepover.

The New Yorker

dorm, but often goes home for a sleepover or to hang out with her sister.

The New York Times

The man who had Wendi [Deng, Rupert Murdoch's wife] for a sleepover complaining about News International.

The Guardian

In October 1993 his 12-year-old daughter Polly had two friends round for a sleepover at their California home.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about children's social activities, "for a sleepover" is a clear and commonly understood way to indicate an overnight stay with friends. It implies a casual, social context.

Common error

While generally acceptable, using "for a sleepover" in highly formal or professional contexts might sound out of place. Opt for more neutral phrases like "for an overnight stay" in business communications or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a sleepover" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often indicating the purpose or reason for an action or event. As supported by Ludwig, it clarifies why someone is going somewhere or doing something, usually involving an overnight stay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

22%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a sleepover" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe an overnight social gathering, usually among younger people. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While highly frequent in news, lifestyle, and general web content, it maintains an informal register, making it less suitable for professional or academic contexts. Alternatives like "for an overnight stay" may be more appropriate in formal settings. The phrase effectively communicates the purpose of an activity as an overnight social event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to sleep over

Short and simple, focusing on the act of sleeping at someone's house.

for a slumber party

Highlights the party aspect, common in informal settings.

for a pyjama party

Similar to slumber party, emphasizing wearing pyjamas.

for an overnight visit

Focuses on the 'visit' aspect, rather than explicitly mentioning sleep.

for an overnight gathering

Focuses on the social aspect of the event.

for an overnight stay

More formal and emphasizes the duration of the stay.

to stay at their house overnight

A more descriptive and explicit way of saying to stay the night.

to spend the night

A general way to say someone is staying overnight.

for a night over

Slightly less common phrasing, still conveys the same meaning.

to crash at their place

Informal way of saying to stay overnight, often unplanned.

FAQs

What does "for a sleepover" mean?

The phrase "for a sleepover" refers to an arrangement where someone, typically a child or teenager, stays overnight at another person's home, usually a friend's, for social and recreational activities.

What can I say instead of "for a sleepover"?

Alternatives include "for an overnight stay", "to sleep over", or "for a slumber party", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "for a sleepover" appropriate in formal writing?

While "for a sleepover" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal contexts, using phrases like "for an overnight visit" or "for an overnight stay" is more suitable.

How do I use "for a sleepover" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the purpose of an invitation or event, such as, "My daughter invited her friends over for a sleepover" or "He asked if he could go to his cousin's house for a sleepover".