try to catch some sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'try to catch some sleep' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to suggest to take rest or to go to bed. For example: "It's getting late, you should try to catch some sleep before the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

HE would try to catch some sleep between the press of bodies, sometimes 20 of them packed into the van.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hours before, on the flight to Washington for the historic event, the ever-energetic Peres worked the journalists on the plane while Rabin tried to catch some sleep.

The New York Times

Stories abound of Bounty representatives barging in on women who are attempting to establish breastfeeding, or simply trying to catch some sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She tries to catch some sleep during longer train rides, but usually can't get more than 90 minutes at a time, which is how long it takes to go from Long Branch to New York and back.

The New York Times

Even as the police scoured the area near the restaurant, Mr. Rahami was seeking shelter from the morning rain under a doorway of a bar, Merdie's Tavern in Linden, which is next to Elizabeth, trying to catch some sleep.

The New York Times

Some of the firefighters, including state prison inmates, tried to catch some rest wherever they could.

Los Angeles Times

In The Cell, Daryl was trying to catch some shut-eye in gangmaster Negan's prison block when the music kicked in, making sleep impossible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Williamsburg hipsters trying to catch some wind.

The New York Times

I try to catch up on sleep on the weekends, so I'll try to get seven hours of sleep.

The New York Times

"You take time off and try to catch up on sleep.

Huffington Post

We force our bodies to stay awake and somewhat alert during the week to get as many things done as possible and then try to catch up on sleep during the weekend; we basically force our body to do things at a time when it's not ready or prepared.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to catch some sleep" when you want to convey the idea of making an effort to sleep, often in less-than-ideal circumstances or when sleep is not coming easily.

Common error

Avoid using "try to catch some sleep" when you simply mean someone is sleeping soundly or effortlessly. This phrase emphasizes the attempt to sleep, not the successful state of being asleep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to catch some sleep" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an attempt or effort to sleep. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests an action being undertaken rather than a state of being. It is commonly used to express the act of attempting to rest, as seen in the example sentences provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to catch some sleep" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the attempt to sleep, often under less-than-ideal conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests an effort is being made. The expression finds its place across various contexts, from news reports to personal blogs, with its primary function being to communicate the act of attempting to rest. When writing, remember that "try to catch some sleep" is best used when emphasizing the effort to sleep, not necessarily the success of achieving it. Alternatives like "try to get some rest" or "attempt to fall asleep" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to sleep

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic elements.

try to get some shut-eye

Replaces "sleep" with the more informal "shut-eye".

try to get some rest

Substitutes the specific act of sleeping with the more general concept of resting.

attempt to fall asleep

Uses a more formal and deliberate tone.

try to drift off

Emphasizes the gradual process of falling asleep.

try to doze off

Highlights the light and intermittent nature of sleep.

try to get forty winks

Uses an idiom to express the idea of getting a short nap.

try to get some zzz's

Uses a playful expression for sleeping.

try to nap

Focuses specifically on taking a nap.

try to get some kip

Uses British slang for sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "try to catch some sleep" in a sentence?

You can use "try to catch some sleep" to indicate an effort to sleep, often when tired or in an uncomfortable situation. For example, "After working all night, I'm going to "try to catch some sleep" before my next shift."

What are some alternatives to "try to catch some sleep"?

Some alternatives include "try to get some rest", "attempt to fall asleep", or "try to drift off", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "try and catch some sleep" instead of "try to catch some sleep"?

While "try and" is sometimes used colloquially, "try to" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. Both convey a similar meaning, but "try to" is the preferred choice for clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "try to catch some sleep" and "get some sleep"?

"Get some sleep" implies a need or intention to sleep, while "try to catch some sleep" emphasizes the effort involved in attempting to sleep. The former is a general statement, whereas the latter suggests that sleep may be difficult to achieve.