sleeping without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sleeping without" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to not having a certain thing or condition present while sleeping. Example: I have trouble sleeping without my favorite pillow. I always forget to pack it when I travel and end up tossing and turning all night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

There is nothing wrong with sleeping without a sleeping pad.

WikiHow

Waking, sleeping without dreams, working.

The New Yorker

She's still sleeping fitfully (although she has a new appreciation for sleeping without a band around her head).

The New York Times

After seeing the conditions of the place, sleeping without shelter, I didn't have the heart to go back to work".

The Guardian

He starts using a kind of language no art historian had explored before: "The Venus of Giorgione is sleeping, without a thought of her nakedness.

The Guardian - Books

AUDREY CORN When my 4-year-old granddaughter noticed her grandpa nodding off on the living room couch, she ran up to me -- chatting at the dinner table with her mother -- to exclaim in alarm, "Grandma, grandpa is sleeping without you".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Now we can sleep without any fear".

The New York Times

We sleep without police at night.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have never slept without food.

The New York Times - Travel

There they would finally sleep "without guard and without danger".

The New York Times

"I couldn't sleep without thinking why, why.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a lack of necessity, use "sleeping without" to clearly convey that something is not required for sleep. For example, "Many travelers are comfortable "sleeping without" a pillow when camping".

Common error

Avoid using "sleeping without" when you mean a struggle or inability to sleep due to the absence of something. Instead of "I was "sleeping without" my medication", clarify the struggle: "I couldn't sleep because I didn't have my medication".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sleeping without" functions as a gerund phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the manner or condition in which sleep occurs, indicating the absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sleeping without" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction that describes the act of sleeping in the absence of something. Ludwig AI affirms this, presenting examples across diverse sources like news, science, and general knowledge. While suitable for neutral contexts, remember to specify the struggle when you want to say that you struggle to sleep, because something is missing, not using the phrase. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "sleeping without the aid of". By paying attention to its function and context, you can effectively use "sleeping without" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to sleep without

Replaces the gerund "sleeping" with the infinitive "going to sleep", altering the sentence structure slightly.

unable to sleep without

Similar to the previous phrase, but more direct in stating the inability.

dozing off without

Substitutes "sleeping" with "dozing off", suggesting a lighter state of sleep.

nodding off without

Uses "nodding off" instead of "sleeping", indicating falling asleep unintentionally.

inability to sleep with

Expresses a negative condition, focusing on the inability to sleep with something rather than sleeping without it.

achieving sleep without

Emphasizes the process of achieving sleep in the absence of something.

forsaking sleep with

Implies deliberately choosing not to sleep with something, adding a sense of intentionality.

sleeping unaided by

Replaces "without" with "unaided by", suggesting a lack of assistance in sleeping.

sleeping without the aid of

More formal version of sleeping unaided by. It also suggest a lack of assistance.

sleeping naturally

Focuses on the natural aspect of sleeping rather than the absence of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sleeping without" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "sleeping without the aid of", "sleeping unaided by", or "achieving sleep without". These options provide a more sophisticated and less direct way of expressing the absence of something during sleep.

What does it mean to say someone is "sleeping without" something?

When someone is "sleeping without" something, it means they are sleeping in the absence of a particular item, condition, or aid. For instance, "sleeping without" a blanket means sleeping without using a blanket.

Is it correct to use "sleeping without" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "sleeping without" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal situations, consider alternatives like "sleeping without the aid of" or "sleeping unaided by".

Which is correct, "sleeping without" or "sleeping with no"?

"Sleeping without" is more idiomatic and grammatically preferable to "sleeping with no". While "sleeping with no" might be understood, it sounds less natural. Always opt for "sleeping without" for clearer and more natural expression.