Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Civasconcelos]

HI there.

Which one to use and when to use it?
Can someone tell me the grammar rule for this?

She is sleeping.
She is asleep.

He's waiting.
He's awaiting.

Thank you.
Ci

[lotus]

Hi Civasconcelos,

The verbs in your examples are intransitive (no object/predicate). One is more passive (gentle) than the other.

Three ladies were waiting. (three ladies were actively waiting)
Three ladies awaiting. (three ladies are passively waiting)

She is sleeping. (she is actively sleeping)
She is asleep. (she is passively asleep)

Generally, the active verb has modifiers:

Three ladies were waiting for their dates.
She is sleeping in the bedroom.

The more passive verb may have modifiers; usually resulting in a more formal voice:

The ladies were awaiting gentlemen.
The documents were awaiting signature.


--lotus

[Civasconcelos]

Lotus Thank for the reply.
However, I still don't feel confident when to use one or the other.
If I want to say "The babies are asleep right now" or should I say "The babies are sleeping right now" .

If I have to look up the grammar rule in a book should I search for intransitive verbs?
Thank you again.
Ci

[lotus]

Hi Civasconcelos,

The more common phrases would be:


The babies are asleep now.
The babies are sleeping now.

Either one would be just fine. It's a very subtle difference. The first sentence is more gentle and one feels that the babies are cuddling in their sleep now. The second sentence sounds more like it took a little effort to get the babies to sleep.

I just happen to mention that the verbs in your previous examples are intransitive. The difference is not whether the verbs are intransitive- it is because a verb or adverb beginning with an "a" generally means something is in a static state - giving it a calm or subdued (gentle) effect.

asleep - state of sleeping
ajar - state of being slightly open
await - state of motionless waiting
anew - in a new way
afar - at a great distance


Think "cute" when babies are asleep. Think "thankful" when babies are sleeping!


--lotus

[Civasconcelos]

thank you very much!