"WAKE" AND "AWAKE"
Wake and Awake: What’s the Difference and How to Use Them
Correctly?
As an English learner, you may have come across the words “wake” and
“awake”. At first glance, they may seem interchangeable, but they have distinct
meanings and usage. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between
“wake” and “awake”, their various forms, and how to use them correctly.
Understanding the Basics of “Wake” and “Awake”
“Wake” is a verb that means to cease sleeping or become conscious after
sleeping. It can also mean to rouse someone from sleep. For example:
·
She woke me up with a
cup of coffee.
On the other hand, “awake” is an adjective that describes someone who is
not sleeping. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to become conscious or to
cause someone to become conscious. For example:
·
I’m awake now, so
let’s start the day.
·
The loud noise awakened
me from my sleep.
Using “Wake” and “Awake” in Different Forms
Both “wake” and “awake” have different forms, such as past tense,
present participle, and past participle. Here’s a breakdown of each form:
Forms of “Wake”
·
Present tense: wake
·
Past tense: woke
·
Present participle:
waking
·
Past participle:
woken
Forms of “Awake”
·
Present tense: awake
·
Past tense: awoke or
awaked
·
Present participle:
awaking
·
Past participle:
awoken or awaked
Note that “awoke” and “awaken” are also acceptable past tense forms of
“awake”, but “awaked” and “awoken” are more commonly used.
Using “Wake” and “Awake” in Context
Now that you understand the differences between “wake” and “awake” and
their various forms, let’s look at how to use them in different contexts.
Wake
·
Wake up: to stop
sleeping and become conscious.
·
Example: I need to
wake up early tomorrow for my flight.
·
Wake someone up: to
rouse someone from sleep.
·
Example: Can you
please wake me up at 7 am tomorrow?
·
Wake to: to become
aware of something.
·
Example: I woke to
the sound of birds chirping outside my window.
Awake
·
Awake: to describe
someone who is not sleeping.
·
Example: She stayed
awake all night to finish her project.
·
Wide awake: to
describe someone who is completely awake and alert.
·
Example: After a
strong coffee, I was wide awake and ready to start the day.
·
Awaken: to cause
someone to become conscious or aware.
·
Example: The loud
noise awakened me from my sleep.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “wake” and “awake”:
·
Don’t confuse the
past tense forms of “wake” and “awake”. “Woke” is the past tense form of
“wake”, while “awoke” or “awaked” is the past tense form of “awake”.
·
Don’t use “awake” as
a verb to mean “wake up”. Use “wake up” instead.
·
Don’t use “awake” to
describe an action or state. Use “wake” instead.
Conclusion
In summary, “wake” and “awake” are two different words with distinct
meanings and usage. “Wake” is a verb that means to cease sleeping or become
conscious after sleeping, while “awake” is an adjective that describes someone