"WAKE" AND "AWAKE"

 

"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