getting ready for bed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting ready for bed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of preparing oneself for sleep, typically in a casual or informal context. Example: "After a long day, I enjoy getting ready for bed with a good book and a cup of herbal tea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Getting ready for bed in the upper birth.

The New Yorker

His brothers and sisters were getting ready for bed.

The New Yorker

As it happened, my inspiration struck just as she was getting ready for bed.

The New Yorker

One night four weeks later, we were getting ready for bed in a hotel in Providence.

The New York Times

One night, as Mr. Martin was getting ready for bed, the cellphone vibrated.

The New York Times

Golding had died at about 1.30am, while getting ready for bed, of a massive heart attack.

The Guardian - Books

That night I was brushing my teeth and getting ready for bed when the phone rang.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then the man came into view, padding back and forth, undressing, getting ready for bed.

The New Yorker

Kebab wrappers, phone numbers, face wipes, discarded by those getting ready for bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New Yorker, January 5, 1929 P. 96 Getting ready for bed in the upper birth.

The New Yorker

One evening, as she was getting ready for bed, she heard the siren of an ambulance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a conversational tone in blog posts or personal narratives, "getting ready for bed" is often preferable to more formal alternatives.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences as "bed was gotten ready for", instead of using the active voice "getting ready for bed" to maintain clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting ready for bed" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of preparing oneself for sleep. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common and acceptable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting ready for bed" is a common and acceptable way to describe the activities performed in preparation for sleep, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a gerund phrase, typically used in neutral to informal contexts. While highly frequent in news, media, and wiki content, it is less common in formal business or academic settings. For more formal situations, alternatives like "preparing for sleep" or "retiring for the night" might be more appropriate. Remember to maintain an active voice and avoid passive constructions when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing for bedtime

This alternative directly replaces "bed" with "bedtime", keeping a very similar meaning.

preparing to sleep

This alternative directly focuses on preparing oneself for the act of sleeping.

preparing for sleep

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the overall preparation rather than specific actions.

winding down for the night

This alternative focuses on relaxation and transition to a more relaxed state before sleep.

settling in for the night

This alternative emphasizes the act of making oneself comfortable and ready to sleep.

retiring for the night

This phrase is more formal and suggests going to bed for the evening.

going through a bedtime routine

This alternative refers to the set of actions performed before sleeping.

about to go to sleep

This alternative focuses on the imminence of sleep.

evening preparations

This alternative is more concise and highlights the preparations done in the evening.

pre-sleep rituals

This alternative emphasizes specific rituals carried out prior to sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "getting ready for bed" in a sentence?

You can use "getting ready for bed" to describe activities before sleeping, such as "She enjoys reading while "getting ready for bed"".

What are some alternatives to "getting ready for bed"?

Alternatives include "preparing for sleep", "winding down for the night", or "preparing for bedtime", depending on the desired formality and context.

Is "getting ready for bed" formal or informal?

"Getting ready for bed" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, "preparing for sleep" or "retiring for the night" might be more appropriate.

What does "getting ready for bed" typically involve?

"Getting ready for bed" typically involves activities like brushing your teeth, changing into pajamas, washing your face, and any other routines you perform before going to sleep.