0
Jandi Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Doze [off]

Hello, teachers!

I'd like to know the difference between 'doze' and 'doze off'. Please tell me which is correct or natural in these sentences, with or w/o 'off'?

1. He is dozing [off] over there.
2. If you doze [off] at school, the teacher will get you.

Thank you very much.
  

Top answer

"doze" has imperfective aspect; "doze off" has perfective aspect. That is, dozing is a continuous experience, like sleeping lightly; dozing off is a (relatively) sudden event, like falling asleep. For this reason, "He is dozing" is like "He is sleeping" or "He is in a state of being half-asleep" or "He is sleeping lightly".

— CalifJim

  • "doze" has imperfective aspect; "doze off" has perfective aspect.
  • That is, dozing is a continuous experience, like sleeping lightly; dozing off is a (relatively) sudden event, like falling asleep.
  • For this reason, "He is dozing" is like "He is sleeping" or "He is in a state of being half-asleep" or "He is sleeping lightly".
  • "He dozes" is like "He sleeps".
  • "He is dozing off" is like "He is starting to fall asleep" or "He is about to fall asleep".
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
"doze" has imperfective aspect; "doze off" has perfective aspect.
That is, dozing is a continuous experience, like sleeping lightly; dozing off is a (relatively) sudden event, like falling asleep.

For this reason,

"He is dozing" is like "He is sleeping" or "He is in a state of being half-asleep" or "He is sleeping lightly".
"He dozes" is like "He sleeps".
"He is
0
0
> Hope that helped!
I think it's perfect!

Thank you very much, CJ!

Enjoy the first green shoots of spring!
0

Related Questions