Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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sleep, sleeps, sleeping, slept

Synonyms: doze, slumber, rest, nap, drowse

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Antonyms: awaken, wake, rise, stir, be active

The Verb Sleep – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb sleep is a common irregular verb meaning to rest your mind and body by becoming unconscious.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: sleep
■ Past Simple: slept
■ Past Participle: slept
■ Present Participle/Gerund: sleeping


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Sleep' is a fundamental verb related to a basic biological need.


1. Resting Unconscious
This is its primary, literal meaning.


■ Action: 'I need to sleep for at least eight hours tonight.'
■ State: 'The baby is sleeping peacefully.'


2. Providing Accommodation (Figurative)
This refers to the capacity of a room or vehicle.


■ Accommodation: 'This tent can sleep four people comfortably.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: PHRASAL VERBS


■ Sleep in: To sleep later than usual, intentionally.
■ Example: 'I love to sleep in on Saturdays.' (Contrast with oversleep, which is accidental).


■ Sleep on it: To delay making a decision until the next day to have more time to think about it.
■ Example: 'That's a big offer. Let me sleep on it and I'll give you an answer tomorrow.'


■ Fall asleep: The action of beginning to sleep.
■ Example: 'I was so tired that I fell asleep during the movie.'