What's the Difference Between 'In Bed' and 'On Bed'?

In this blog post we look at when to use in bed and when to use on bed.

'In Bed' or 'On Bed'?

The preposition "in" is used to indicate that someone is physically located inside or within something, while the preposition "on" is used to indicate that something is physically located on top of something else.

In the context of a bed, you would use "in" if you are physically inside the bed, lying down and covered by blankets or sheets.

For example: "I'm going to bed early tonight. I'm feeling tired and I'll just crawl in and go to sleep."

You would use "on" if you are physically on top of the bed, sitting or lying on top of the blankets or sheets.

For example: "I'm just going to sit on the bed for a few minutes and read before going to sleep."

So, the difference between "in bed" and "on bed" is the physical location of the person or thing in relation to the bed.

"In bed" means that the person or thing is under the bed sheets or duvet, while "on bed" means that the person or thing is on top of the bed.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the difference between "in bed" and "on bed":

  1. "I'm so tired, I'm just going to crawl in bed and go to sleep." (Here, "in bed" refers to the physical location of the speaker inside the bed, lying down and covered by blankets or sheets.)

  2. "I always read a few pages before going to sleep. I'll just sit on the bed for a few minutes." (Here, "on bed" refers to the physical location of the speaker on top of the bed, sitting on top of the blankets or sheets.)

  3. "The cat always sleeps in bed with us." (Here, "in bed" refers to the physical location of the cat inside the bed, lying down and covered by blankets or sheets.)

  4. "I left my book on bed. I'll just go get it before going to sleep." (Here, "on bed" refers to the physical location of the book on top of the bed, sitting on top of the blankets or sheets.)

Examples of In Bed in a Sentence

Here are ten sentences using the phrase "in bed":

  1. "I'm so tired, I'm just going to crawl in bed and go to sleep."

  2. "The cat always sleeps in bed with us."

  3. "I can't believe I slept in bed until noon."

  4. "I woke up feeling sick, so I stayed in bed all day."

  5. "I always read a few pages before going to sleep. I'll just crawl in bed and read for a bit."

  6. "She was so exhausted after the marathon, she just collapsed in bed and slept for 12 hours."

  7. "I'm going to bed early tonight. I'm feeling tired and I'll just crawl in and go to sleep."

  8. "He fell asleep in bed while watching TV."

  9. "I love spending lazy Sunday mornings in bed, just reading and relaxing."

  10. "She had a long day at work and was looking forward to getting in bed and falling asleep."

Examples of On Bed in a Sentence

ere are ten sentences using the phrase "on bed":

  1. "I'm just going to sit on the bed for a few minutes and read before going to sleep."

  2. "I left my book on bed. I'll just go get it before going to sleep."

  3. "She sat on the bed and started getting dressed for the day."

  4. "He was too restless to sleep, so he just lay on bed and stared at the ceiling."

  5. "I always put my phone on bed before going to sleep."

  6. "She was too tired to walk all the way to the couch, so she just collapsed on bed and fell asleep."

  7. "I'm going to take a quick nap. I'll just lie on bed for a bit."

  8. "He sat on bed and put on his shoes."

  9. "I'm just going to put my clothes on bed before I start getting dressed."

  10. "She was feeling overwhelmed, so she sat on bed and took a few deep breaths to calm down."


Similar Questions

Practising English? Short Stories for Speaking and Listening

Advertisement

In Bed or On Bed
In Bed or On Bed