just before sleeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just before sleeping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time immediately prior to going to sleep, often in contexts discussing routines or thoughts at that time. Example: "I like to read a book just before sleeping to help me relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

These sensations typically are worse during periods of rest, especially just before sleeping at night, but they may happen during daytime periods of inactivity, such as watching a movie, attending a long business meeting, or flying in a plane.

Harvard University

A game can be picked up and continued whenever a player has a few minutes to spare – on the commute, in a lunch break, during a boring meeting or just before sleeping, in place of pillow talk.

The Guardian - Tech

Theta brain waves, measured at 4-7 Hz, are the brain frequencies of the barely conscious states just before sleeping and just after awakening.

HuffPost

Practice just before sleeping for at least one page.

WikiHow

TV is also a source of excitement and should be avoided just before sleeping.

WikiHow

Go about your day and let your hair completely air dry, or braid your hair just before sleeping so it can dry overnight.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What is most interesting though is that the Rye protein (assayed using newly generated Rye antibodies) cycles during the day and is most prominently present just before sleep onset, is elevated by sleep deprivation and in several short-sleeping mutants such as sleepless, insomniac and fumin, but is not controlled by the clock machinery.

eLife

In adults who experience nocturnal leg cramps, does stretching of the calf and hamstring muscles each day just before sleep reduce the frequency and severity of the cramps?

Journal of Physiotherapy

In the moments just before sleep and after the shelter staff banged on the door to enforce curfew, Sharisse Baltimore and her children said their prayers.

The Washington Post

Just before sleep, my mind drifts back to the revelation that has bothered me all day: that even dreams, now, are a commodity that can be bought.

The New Yorker

The students did not get the same boost when they received bursts of the fragrance just before sleep or in REM sleep rather than in deep slumber, and their improvements were not due to practice, the study found.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing routines or habits, use "just before sleeping" to create a vivid image of the moments preceding sleep. For example, "I always read a chapter of a book "just before sleeping" to unwind."

Common error

Avoid using "just before sleeping" when a more specific time frame is relevant. Instead of saying, "I ate "just before sleeping"", specify, "I ate an hour before sleeping" if the timing is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just before sleeping" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or state. It specifies when something occurs in relation to the act of sleeping. Examples in Ludwig show how the phrase is used to set a temporal context for various activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

29%

News & Media

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just before sleeping" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier, pinpointing actions or states occurring immediately before sleep. Ludwig indicates that its usage spans various contexts, from describing bedtime routines to physiological processes, maintaining a generally neutral register suitable for both informal and formal communication. While "just before sleeping" is deemed correct, be mindful of potential overgeneralization, opting for more precise temporal references when necessary. Alternatives like "right before sleep" or "immediately preceding sleep" can add nuance depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right before sleep

Emphasizes the immediacy before sleep, similar to the original phrase.

immediately preceding sleep

Uses more formal language to convey the same meaning.

in the moments before sleep

Highlights the short duration before sleep begins.

prior to falling asleep

A more formal way of saying before falling asleep.

shortly before bedtime

Replaces "sleeping" with the more specific "bedtime".

in the lead-up to sleep

Focuses on the period of time preparing for sleep.

on the verge of sleep

Implies being very close to falling asleep.

approaching sleep

Describes the state of moving towards sleep.

at the threshold of sleep

Uses metaphorical language to describe the transition to sleep.

before drifting off to sleep

Emphasizes the act of falling asleep.

FAQs

How can I use "just before sleeping" in a sentence?

You can use "just before sleeping" to describe actions or feelings experienced in the moments leading up to sleep. For example, "I like to meditate "just before sleeping" to clear my mind."

What's a more formal alternative to "just before sleeping"?

A more formal alternative to "just before sleeping" is "immediately preceding sleep" or "prior to falling asleep".

Is it okay to say "right before sleeping" instead of "just before sleeping"?

Yes, "right before sleeping" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. They have very similar meanings and can often be used interchangeably.

What activities should I avoid "just before sleeping"?

It's generally recommended to avoid stimulating activities like watching TV or working on a computer "just before sleeping", as they can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.