go to sleep

Meaning

'Go to sleep' means to start sleeping or to transition from being awake to being asleep. It can also mean heading to bed with the intention of sleeping. It is a highly common, basic phrase used daily by speakers of all levels.

Examples

• I usually go to sleep around eleven o'clock at night.

  I usually go to sleep around eleven o'clock at night.

• The baby finally went to sleep after we sang a quiet song.

  The baby finally went to sleep after we sang a quiet song.

• It is hard for me to go to sleep when it is too hot in the bedroom.

  It is hard for me to go to sleep when it is too hot in the bedroom.

• You should go to sleep early tonight because you have a big exam tomorrow.

  You should go to sleep early tonight because you have a big exam tomorrow.

• I turned off the television, closed my eyes, and tried to go to sleep.

  I turned off the television, closed my eyes, and tried to go to sleep.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to sleep now because I am very tired.

  ✓ I want to go to sleep now because I am very tired.

  'Sleep' refers to the continuous state of resting. To express the action of starting to rest or going to bed, use 'go to sleep'.

• ✗ I went to the sleep at midnight.

  ✓ I went to sleep at midnight.

  Do not use the article 'the' before 'sleep' in this phrase. It is always 'go to sleep' or 'went to sleep'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• What time do you usually ___ on weekends?

  💡 Start sleeping.

  Show answer

  go to sleep

• I was so tired after the long hike that I ___ immediately.

  💡 Past tense of 'go to sleep'.

  Show answer

  went to sleep