sleeping soundly

USAGE SUMMARY

"sleeping soundly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is in a deep, restful sleep. For example, "After a long day at work, he fell asleep soundly in his chair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An even clearer example is replacing the awkward "sleeping soundly, the lion ate the campers" with the better "the lion ate the sleeping campers".

Huffington Post

He's sleeping soundly".

The New Yorker

Sleeping Soundly My apartment has thin walls.

The New York Times

Ev'rybody's sleeping soundly — thanks to 1081".

The New York Times

It has been a week for not sleeping soundly.

Independent

Now he was sleeping soundly with his mouth wide open.

The New York Times - Health

Even so, the book ends with the boy sleeping soundly in his little blue crib.

The New Yorker

I found him" -- her last husband, when they were still married -- "sleeping soundly in our bed.

The New York Times - Magazine

He already had one well-rested pitcher sleeping soundly at the hotel.

The New York Times - Sports

Right now, I'm sleeping soundly with nothing but the natural effects of exhaustion and a really, really slow-moving book.

The New York Times

Oberon had rubbed poppies on its eyes to quiet its crying, so it was still sleeping soundly when she woke.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sleeping soundly" to clearly and concisely describe a deep, undisturbed sleep. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "sleeping soundly" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated vocabulary to enhance the tone and style. For instance, instead of "The patient was sleeping soundly", try "The patient exhibited signs of restorative sleep".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sleeping soundly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb 'to sleep' and describing the manner in which someone is sleeping. Ludwig's examples show it used to depict a state of peaceful, undisturbed rest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sleeping soundly" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to describe a state of deep and peaceful sleep. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts, from news articles and scientific publications to personal narratives. While it is suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider using more sophisticated language in highly academic contexts. The phrase effectively communicates the quality of sleep and is found most frequently in "News & Media" sources. Related phrases like "fast asleep" or "deep in slumber" can be used as alternatives to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound asleep

Similar to the original phrase, but uses a different word order.

fast asleep

Indicates a state of being deeply asleep, emphasizing the speed with which sleep was achieved.

deep in slumber

A more poetic way to describe being sound asleep, focusing on the depth of sleep.

slumbering peacefully

Highlights the tranquility and serenity of the sleep, implying a soft and gentle state.

peacefully sleeping

Highlights the tranquility and serenity of the sleep.

resting deeply

Focuses on the restorative aspect of sleep.

in a deep sleep

Focuses on the depth of the sleep.

sleeping like a log

An idiomatic expression indicating a very deep and motionless sleep.

out like a light

Describes falling asleep very quickly and deeply.

dead to the world

Implies being in such a deep sleep that one is completely unaware of their surroundings.

FAQs

What does "sleeping soundly" mean?

"Sleeping soundly" means to be in a deep and peaceful sleep, undisturbed by noise or other factors.

What can I say instead of "sleeping soundly"?

You can use alternatives like "fast asleep", "deep in slumber", or "sound asleep" depending on the context.

Is "sleeping soundly" a formal or informal phrase?

"Sleeping soundly" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though more sophisticated language might be preferred in highly academic writing.

How to use "sleeping soundly" in a sentence?

Example: "After a long day of hiking, the children were "sleeping soundly" in their tents."