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 has trouble sleeping at night due to stress. [sleeping: gerund or present participle]
slumbering
Example
The baby was slumbering peacefully in her crib. [slumbering: verb]
Example
He felt drowsy and decided to take a short slumber. [slumbering: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sleeping is a more common and versatile word that is used in everyday language, while slumbering is less common and more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sleeping and slumbering?
Sleeping is a more versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while slumbering is more formal and less commonly used.
