sound asleep

USAGE SUMMARY

"sound asleep" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is sleeping soundly, such as "The baby was sound asleep in her crib."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's sound asleep.

The New Yorker

He was sound asleep.

The New York Times

Tini was already sound asleep.

The New York Times - Travel

But she was sound asleep.

The New York Times - Travel

I know they're sound asleep".

The New York Times - Magazine

Real snakes sound asleep, wild ones.

The New Yorker

"I'll be sound asleep tonight," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Walk about the place sound asleep?

The New Yorker

At least one of them was sound asleep.

The New Yorker

The dog's owner was unaware, since he was sound asleep.

The New York Times

"My client was in bed and sound asleep," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sound asleep" to clearly convey that someone is sleeping deeply and is not easily awakened. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sound asleep" when someone is merely dozing or lightly sleeping. It implies a deeper state of sleep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sound asleep" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of deep sleep. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sound asleep" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone in a deep, undisturbed sleep. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "fast asleep" or "deeply sleeping" exist, "sound asleep" effectively and clearly conveys the intended meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the depth of sleep, avoiding its application to lighter states like dozing. With a high source quality score and positive expert rating, "sound asleep" remains a reliable choice for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fast asleep

Emphasizes the speed with which someone fell asleep.

deeply sleeping

Highlights the depth of the sleep.

sleeping soundly

Indicates the quality and peacefulness of the sleep.

in a deep slumber

Uses a more formal and literary tone to describe deep sleep.

out like a light

An informal expression indicating a sudden and complete loss of consciousness into sleep.

dead to the world

Suggests a very deep sleep where someone is unresponsive to external stimuli.

peacefully sleeping

Focuses on the tranquility and lack of disturbance in the sleep.

lost in sleep

Emphasizes the immersive nature of the sleep.

sleeping like a log

An idiom indicating motionless and heavy sleep.

completely unconscious

Highlights the lack of awareness during sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "sound asleep" in a sentence?

You can use "sound asleep" to describe someone in a deep sleep, for example: "The baby was "sound asleep" in her crib" or "After a long day, he was "sound asleep" before his head hit the pillow".

What does "sound asleep" mean?

"Sound asleep" means sleeping deeply and peacefully. It implies that the person is not easily disturbed.

What can I say instead of "sound asleep"?

You can use alternatives like "fast asleep", "deeply sleeping", or "sleeping soundly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sleeping sound asleep"?

While "sleeping soundly" is correct, "sleeping sound asleep" is redundant. It's best to use either "sound asleep" or "sleeping soundly".