let me sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting permission or expressing a desire to sleep, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After a long day at work, all I want is for you to let me sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wouldn't let me sleep.

The New York Times - Travel

Enough to let me sleep at night".

The Guardian

"Please let me sleep," he wrote.

The New York Times

"Then just let me sleep here.

The New Yorker

"Let me sleep on it," I said.

The New York Times - Books

Let me sleep on this one," Girardi said.

The New York Times

But let me sleep, oh, twenty minutes tops.

The New Yorker

"Let me sleep," he said thickly, without opening his eyes.

The New Yorker

"My parents wouldn't let me sleep over at friends' houses.

The New York Times

Then the anxieties subside and let me sleep.

The New York Times - Arts

But the problem was that they didn't let me sleep.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me sleep" when you want to politely request that someone allow you to rest or go to sleep without interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "let me sleep" in highly formal settings. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "allow me to rest" if the situation demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me sleep" functions primarily as an imperative request. It is used to ask or implore someone to allow the speaker to rest or to cease disturbing them. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let me sleep" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to request permission to sleep or to ask for quiet. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, though also appears in wiki and general conversation. While versatile, it leans towards an informal register, making it more suitable for casual interactions. When a more formal tone is necessary, alternatives such as "allow me to rest" are recommended. Remember to use "let me sleep" when you genuinely need some shut-eye and want to politely convey that need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow me to sleep

Replaces "let" with "allow", providing a slightly more formal tone.

permit me to sleep

Substitutes "let" with "permit", resulting in a more formal request.

can I get some sleep

Changes the request to a question, inquiring about the possibility of sleeping.

I need to sleep

Expresses the necessity for sleep rather than requesting permission.

I want to sleep

States the desire for sleep, removing the element of permission.

just let me rest

Focuses on resting instead of specifically sleeping, broadening the scope.

leave me to sleep

Emphasizes being left alone to sleep, highlighting the need for solitude.

don't bother me, I want to sleep

Expresses a desire to sleep with a clear instruction not to be disturbed.

I'm trying to sleep

Indicates an ongoing effort to sleep, implying disturbance.

I'm going to sleep

Declares an intention to sleep, often indicating finality.

FAQs

How can I use "let me sleep" in a sentence?

You can use "let me sleep" when you want to politely ask someone to allow you to rest. For example: "I'm really tired, can you please "let me sleep"?"

What is a more formal way to say "let me sleep"?

If you need to be more formal, you could say "allow me to rest" or "permit me to sleep".

What does it mean when someone says "let me sleep on it"?

The phrase "let me sleep on it" means that someone wants to delay making a decision until the next day, to have more time to think about it.

Is it correct to say "let me to sleep" instead of "let me sleep"?

No, the correct form is ""let me sleep"". The infinitive verb "sleep" should be used without "to" after the verb "let".