student asking question

What's the difference between "asleep" and "sleep"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The word "sleep" is used as a verb or noun in a sentence and it refers to the action of sleep itself. " The word "asleep" is used as an adverb or adjective in a sentence and it refers to the action of sleep, as already in action or already completed. So it is more a state of being. Ex: I like to sleep in the afternoon. Ex: I went to sleep after watching the movie. Ex: Is your mother asleep? Ex: Sorry I missed your call, I was asleep.

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