What is the difference between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'?












2














I really don't know the detail meaning between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'



I think that generally 'countable noun' has 'article' like 'a/an' or 'the'



But I can find the sentence like 'I usually read in bed'



What is the difference between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'?










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:04










  • possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
    – Marv Mills
    Jul 14 '15 at 11:45
















2














I really don't know the detail meaning between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'



I think that generally 'countable noun' has 'article' like 'a/an' or 'the'



But I can find the sentence like 'I usually read in bed'



What is the difference between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'?










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:04










  • possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
    – Marv Mills
    Jul 14 '15 at 11:45














2












2








2


2





I really don't know the detail meaning between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'



I think that generally 'countable noun' has 'article' like 'a/an' or 'the'



But I can find the sentence like 'I usually read in bed'



What is the difference between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'?










share|improve this question













I really don't know the detail meaning between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'



I think that generally 'countable noun' has 'article' like 'a/an' or 'the'



But I can find the sentence like 'I usually read in bed'



What is the difference between 'in the bed' and 'in bed'?







meaning articles






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Jul 14 '15 at 9:54









Young

932310




932310








  • 1




    One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:04










  • possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
    – Marv Mills
    Jul 14 '15 at 11:45














  • 1




    One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:04










  • possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
    – Marv Mills
    Jul 14 '15 at 11:45








1




1




One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
– Edwin Ashworth
Jul 14 '15 at 10:04




One point is that 'in bed' is never used for say garden beds, oyster beds, beds of rock or wood chips.
– Edwin Ashworth
Jul 14 '15 at 10:04












possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
– Marv Mills
Jul 14 '15 at 11:45




possible duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/questions/248289/…
– Marv Mills
Jul 14 '15 at 11:45










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















4














In bed refers to customary activities undertaken while someone is (usually) on the way to sleep.



In the bed is normally less likely to denote customary activity associated with sleeping and more likely to denote other activities:




I found cracker crumbs in the bed




This would describe something that might have taken place while gathering bed linen for the laundry. It also might have been someone else's bed, not your own.




I found cracker crumbs in bed




This would probably mean they bothered you while you were trying to sleep.






share|improve this answer

















  • 1




    +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
    – bib
    Jul 14 '15 at 12:52



















4














If you say that you "read in the bed," you're referring to a specific bed in which you read. If you say that you "read in bed," you're making a general statement that you read in whatever bed in which you find yourself.






share|improve this answer





















  • then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
    – Young
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:04






  • 1




    If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
    – deadrat
    Jul 14 '15 at 10:07



















0














In bed is when you are sick but on bed is when you are resting. Eg Kofi is in bed for two weeks meaning Kofi is sick for two weeks






share|improve this answer





























    0














    When we say "the bed" we are talking about a piece of furniture like any piece in the house.



    For example:




    I was looking for my cat under the bed.







    share|improve this answer










    New contributor




    Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.


















    • What about 'in bed'?
      – Mitch
      2 days ago



















    -3














    In bed is when you are doing either read, sleeping, making love or others.
    On bed is when you are sick. "The doctor placed him ON Bed rest. He is ON sick Bed.






    share|improve this answer





















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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes








      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      4














      In bed refers to customary activities undertaken while someone is (usually) on the way to sleep.



      In the bed is normally less likely to denote customary activity associated with sleeping and more likely to denote other activities:




      I found cracker crumbs in the bed




      This would describe something that might have taken place while gathering bed linen for the laundry. It also might have been someone else's bed, not your own.




      I found cracker crumbs in bed




      This would probably mean they bothered you while you were trying to sleep.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
        – bib
        Jul 14 '15 at 12:52
















      4














      In bed refers to customary activities undertaken while someone is (usually) on the way to sleep.



      In the bed is normally less likely to denote customary activity associated with sleeping and more likely to denote other activities:




      I found cracker crumbs in the bed




      This would describe something that might have taken place while gathering bed linen for the laundry. It also might have been someone else's bed, not your own.




      I found cracker crumbs in bed




      This would probably mean they bothered you while you were trying to sleep.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
        – bib
        Jul 14 '15 at 12:52














      4












      4








      4






      In bed refers to customary activities undertaken while someone is (usually) on the way to sleep.



      In the bed is normally less likely to denote customary activity associated with sleeping and more likely to denote other activities:




      I found cracker crumbs in the bed




      This would describe something that might have taken place while gathering bed linen for the laundry. It also might have been someone else's bed, not your own.




      I found cracker crumbs in bed




      This would probably mean they bothered you while you were trying to sleep.






      share|improve this answer












      In bed refers to customary activities undertaken while someone is (usually) on the way to sleep.



      In the bed is normally less likely to denote customary activity associated with sleeping and more likely to denote other activities:




      I found cracker crumbs in the bed




      This would describe something that might have taken place while gathering bed linen for the laundry. It also might have been someone else's bed, not your own.




      I found cracker crumbs in bed




      This would probably mean they bothered you while you were trying to sleep.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Jul 14 '15 at 11:09









      Robusto

      128k28303514




      128k28303514








      • 1




        +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
        – bib
        Jul 14 '15 at 12:52














      • 1




        +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
        – bib
        Jul 14 '15 at 12:52








      1




      1




      +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
      – bib
      Jul 14 '15 at 12:52




      +1 But would add a few other bed-related activities for in bed, including recuperating from an illness and engaging in romantic activities. The doctor wants you in bed, and * My wife couldn't wait to get me in bed (assuming she was not hoping I would merely fall asleep).
      – bib
      Jul 14 '15 at 12:52













      4














      If you say that you "read in the bed," you're referring to a specific bed in which you read. If you say that you "read in bed," you're making a general statement that you read in whatever bed in which you find yourself.






      share|improve this answer





















      • then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
        – Young
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:04






      • 1




        If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
        – deadrat
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:07
















      4














      If you say that you "read in the bed," you're referring to a specific bed in which you read. If you say that you "read in bed," you're making a general statement that you read in whatever bed in which you find yourself.






      share|improve this answer





















      • then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
        – Young
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:04






      • 1




        If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
        – deadrat
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:07














      4












      4








      4






      If you say that you "read in the bed," you're referring to a specific bed in which you read. If you say that you "read in bed," you're making a general statement that you read in whatever bed in which you find yourself.






      share|improve this answer












      If you say that you "read in the bed," you're referring to a specific bed in which you read. If you say that you "read in bed," you're making a general statement that you read in whatever bed in which you find yourself.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Jul 14 '15 at 9:58









      deadrat

      41.8k25291




      41.8k25291












      • then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
        – Young
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:04






      • 1




        If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
        – deadrat
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:07


















      • then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
        – Young
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:04






      • 1




        If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
        – deadrat
        Jul 14 '15 at 10:07
















      then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
      – Young
      Jul 14 '15 at 10:04




      then, when can I use 'in bed' instead of 'in the bed'?
      – Young
      Jul 14 '15 at 10:04




      1




      1




      If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
      – deadrat
      Jul 14 '15 at 10:07




      If you're speaking generally about where you read at night, use "in bed." If you only read in one particular bed, use "in the bed."
      – deadrat
      Jul 14 '15 at 10:07











      0














      In bed is when you are sick but on bed is when you are resting. Eg Kofi is in bed for two weeks meaning Kofi is sick for two weeks






      share|improve this answer


























        0














        In bed is when you are sick but on bed is when you are resting. Eg Kofi is in bed for two weeks meaning Kofi is sick for two weeks






        share|improve this answer
























          0












          0








          0






          In bed is when you are sick but on bed is when you are resting. Eg Kofi is in bed for two weeks meaning Kofi is sick for two weeks






          share|improve this answer












          In bed is when you are sick but on bed is when you are resting. Eg Kofi is in bed for two weeks meaning Kofi is sick for two weeks







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Mar 1 '17 at 6:47









          Donald

          1




          1























              0














              When we say "the bed" we are talking about a piece of furniture like any piece in the house.



              For example:




              I was looking for my cat under the bed.







              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.


















              • What about 'in bed'?
                – Mitch
                2 days ago
















              0














              When we say "the bed" we are talking about a piece of furniture like any piece in the house.



              For example:




              I was looking for my cat under the bed.







              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.


















              • What about 'in bed'?
                – Mitch
                2 days ago














              0












              0








              0






              When we say "the bed" we are talking about a piece of furniture like any piece in the house.



              For example:




              I was looking for my cat under the bed.







              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              When we say "the bed" we are talking about a piece of furniture like any piece in the house.



              For example:




              I was looking for my cat under the bed.








              share|improve this answer










              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 2 days ago









              Glorfindel

              6,07183338




              6,07183338






              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              answered 2 days ago









              Ali Saheb

              1




              1




              New contributor




              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.





              New contributor





              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






              Ali Saheb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.












              • What about 'in bed'?
                – Mitch
                2 days ago


















              • What about 'in bed'?
                – Mitch
                2 days ago
















              What about 'in bed'?
              – Mitch
              2 days ago




              What about 'in bed'?
              – Mitch
              2 days ago











              -3














              In bed is when you are doing either read, sleeping, making love or others.
              On bed is when you are sick. "The doctor placed him ON Bed rest. He is ON sick Bed.






              share|improve this answer


























                -3














                In bed is when you are doing either read, sleeping, making love or others.
                On bed is when you are sick. "The doctor placed him ON Bed rest. He is ON sick Bed.






                share|improve this answer
























                  -3












                  -3








                  -3






                  In bed is when you are doing either read, sleeping, making love or others.
                  On bed is when you are sick. "The doctor placed him ON Bed rest. He is ON sick Bed.






                  share|improve this answer












                  In bed is when you are doing either read, sleeping, making love or others.
                  On bed is when you are sick. "The doctor placed him ON Bed rest. He is ON sick Bed.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Jan 31 '16 at 11:30









                  Pettus

                  1




                  1






























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