What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sleeping
Example
I was sleeping soundly when the alarm went off. [sleeping: verb]
Example
She caught her son sleeping on the couch in the middle of the day. [sleeping: present participle]
dormant
Example
The volcano has been dormant for years, but it could still erupt. [dormant: adjective]
Example
The company's social media account has been dormant for months. [dormant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sleeping is a more common word than dormant in everyday language, as it is a necessary bodily function for humans and animals. Dormant is less commonly used and is more specific to describing natural phenomena.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sleeping and dormant?
Both sleeping and dormant are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
