time for bed

USAGE SUMMARY

"time for bed" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a polite or gentle reminder that it is time to go to sleep. It can also be used as a phrase to signal the end of the day or a winding down period. Example: "It's getting late, time for bed. Goodnight everyone!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was time for bed.

The New York Times

It's time for bed.

The Guardian

Then it is time for bed".

The New Yorker

At last, time for bed.

The New York Times

Time for bed, he says.

The Guardian - Music

Then it was time for bed.

The Guardian - Travel

When I'm in a coma, it's time for bed.

The New York Times

Or perhaps it was just time for bed.

The Guardian

Time for bed... I have to be up muy temprano mañana.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's time for bed, Arnold," said Mom.        "I'm still destroying New York," said Arnold.

The New York Times - Books

Time for bed, but — 11 40 p.m. Smoke detector starts beeping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time for bed" as a gentle and reassuring way to signal the end of the day, especially when speaking to children or in informal settings. This phrase can be softened with a warm tone and followed by bedtime rituals, like reading a story.

Common error

While "time for bed" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, consider using more formal alternatives like "it's time to retire for the evening" in professional documents or presentations to maintain a polished and appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time for bed" primarily functions as an expression of suggestion or direction, indicating that it is the appropriate moment to go to sleep. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

30%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time for bed" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to signal the end of the day and the suggestion to go to sleep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally informal and most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it's time to retire for the evening". Remember to use a gentle tone when communicating this phrase, especially with children. Overusing this in formal settings should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bedtime

A single word that directly implies the appropriate time to go to sleep.

time to sleep

Rephrases the sentence using 'sleep' instead of 'bed'.

it's late, go to sleep

More explicit instruction emphasizing lateness and the need for sleep.

lights out

An idiomatic expression signaling the end of the day and the beginning of sleep.

nighty night

An informal and affectionate way to say goodnight, especially to children.

off to dreamland

A whimsical phrase suggesting departure for the land of dreams.

it's time to hit the hay

An idiomatic expression referring to going to bed.

time to turn in

A slightly more formal way of saying it's time to go to bed.

let's call it a night

Suggests ending the evening and going to sleep.

ready for slumber

Emphasizes the readiness and anticipation of sleep.

FAQs

How can I politely tell someone it's "time for bed"?

You can use softer phrases like "It's getting late, perhaps it's time to turn in" or "Shall we think about heading to bed soon?" These phrases offer a gentle suggestion rather than a direct command.

What's a humorous way to say it's "time for bed"?

Try saying "Off to dreamland!" or "Time to hit the hay!" These are lighthearted and playful ways to announce bedtime, especially suitable for family or close friends.

Is "time for bed" suitable for formal writing?

No, "time for bed" is generally too informal for formal writing. Instead, consider phrases like "it is time to retire for the night" or simply "goodnight" in correspondence.

What can I say instead of "time for bed" to a child?

You might say, "It's getting sleepy time!" or "Time to snuggle in for the night!" Adding a playful tone can make the transition to bed more appealing for children.