Use of English Q&A Email – For those of us who like to sleep-in!
Hi everyone,
A German-speaking student e-mailed me this tricky question about the difference between when we use to “sleep in” versus to “oversleep”. Here’s how I responded:
Question: Which is correct?
If I don’t wake up on time (verschlafen), do I sleep in or oversleep?
Answer: I like your question. There definitely is a difference in attitude when I sleep in or oversleep. My husband mistakes my sleeping in for oversleeping all the time on Saturdays! He’s a real early bird. Here’s what I mean….
When we want to wake up at a specific time, especially for work, and don’t – then we would use the term to oversleep. For example: “My alarm clock didn’t go off and I overslept. Sorry I’m late.”
When we purposely want to sleep for a long time in the morning, for example, on Saturdays of Sundays, then we say: “No alarm clocks tomorrow for me – let’s just sleep in.” (American English) OR ” Let’s have a lie in tomorrow.” (British English)
Maybe the visual below might help you remember the meaning of “oversleep”, taken from: www.geeksaresexy.com
Related articles
- “The solution to oversleeping” [Comic] (dottech.org)
What are the differences between B1, B2 and C1?
What are the differences between B1, B2 and C1? You’re an intermediate learner. What now? It is clear that to move from one language level
How to build your vocabulary in 5 steps
You’re an intermediate. So now what? Have you heard of the plateau that happens in learning a language? It’s the zone of intermediates. You can
Spotlight on Talent: Kevin Wieser
by Kevin Wieser When I was little, I didn’t like to read books. Instead, I looked at many graphics like comics or cartoons. In the
Do you want to have us deliver your English exercise to your inbox?