Wake vs Waken: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Have you ever found yourself wondering if you should use “wake” or “waken” in a sentence? These two words may seem interchangeable, but they actually have distinct meanings and usage. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “wake” and “waken” and provide you with a clear understanding of when to use each word.

Firstly, “wake” is the proper word to use in most situations. It means to emerge or come out of a state of sleep, or to cause someone or something to do so. For example, “I wake up at 6am every morning” or “The alarm clock woke me up.” On the other hand, “waken” is a less common variant of “wake” and is typically only used in certain contexts. It means the same thing as “wake,” but is considered more formal or archaic.

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage.

Define Wake

Wake refers to the state of being awake or conscious, as opposed to being asleep or unconscious. It can also refer to the track or path left behind by a moving object on a liquid surface, such as a boat or a swimmer. In this context, wake is also known as a “trail” or “stream.”

Define Waken

Waken is a verb that means to become or make someone or something awake or conscious. It is often used as a synonym for “awaken” or “arouse.” Waken can also refer to the act of stirring or rousing from sleep or inactivity. It is commonly used in the phrase “waken up,” which means to become fully awake or alert after sleeping or being drowsy.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence is crucial in conveying the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “wake” and “waken” in a sentence.

How To Use “Wake” In A Sentence

The word “wake” is a verb that means to emerge or arise from sleep. It can also mean to cause someone to become alert or aware.

Here are some examples of how to use “wake” in a sentence:

• She woke up early to go for a run.
• The loud noise woke me up from my nap.
• The smell of coffee always wakes me up.
• The alarm clock will wake you up at 6 am.
• He was finally able to wake from his coma.

As you can see from the examples, “wake” is used to describe the act of coming out of sleep or becoming alert.

How To Use “Waken” In A Sentence

The word “waken” is also a verb that means to become awake or to cause someone to become awake. However, it is less commonly used than “wake” and is considered to be more formal or literary.

Here are some examples of how to use “waken” in a sentence:

• The sound of the rooster crowing wakened me from my slumber.
• He was wakened by the sound of his phone ringing.
• The smell of breakfast cooking wakened her senses.
• The loud thunderstorm wakened the entire neighborhood.

As you can see from the examples, “waken” is used in a similar way to “wake”, but it is less common and more formal.

It is important to note that “wake” can also be used as a noun to describe a vigil held over a dead body before burial. In this context, “waken” cannot be used.

By using “wake” and “waken” correctly in your writing, you can effectively convey your intended meaning and avoid any confusion or ambiguity.

More Examples Of Wake & Waken Used In Sentences

Understanding the proper usage of wake and waken can be tricky. Here are some more examples of how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

Examples Of Using “Wake” In A Sentence

• He couldn’t wake up early enough to catch the sunrise.
• The loud noise from the construction site woke up the entire neighborhood.
• The smell of coffee is enough to wake me up in the morning.
• She tried to wake her sleeping baby by gently shaking his crib.
• I always set an alarm to wake me up for work.
• After a long nap, it took me a few minutes to fully wake up.
• The sound of the alarm clock was enough to wake him from his deep sleep.
• The smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen woke him up from his slumber.
• The sound of the doorbell woke the dog from his nap.
• She had to shake him vigorously to wake him from his drunken stupor.

Examples Of Using “Waken” In A Sentence

• The sound of the rooster crowing wakened her from her sleep.
• She was wakened by the bright sun shining through her window.
• The loud thunderstorm wakened the baby from his nap.
• He was wakened by the sound of his phone ringing in the middle of the night.
• The smell of smoke wakened her from her deep sleep.
• The sound of the train passing by wakened him from his slumber.
• The barking dog next door wakened her from her nap.
• The sound of the fire alarm wakened everyone in the building.
• The sound of the waves crashing against the shore wakened him from his sleep.
• The sound of the door opening wakened the cat from his nap.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “wake” and “waken,” many people tend to interchange them without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Wake” As A Past Participle Of “Waken”

One common mistake is using “wake” as a past participle of “waken.” While “wake” can be used as a verb to mean “to become awake,” it is not the past participle of “waken.” The correct past participle of “waken” is “wakened.”

Incorrect: I woke up early this morning.

Correct: I wakened up early this morning.

Using “Waken” As A Transitive Verb

Another mistake is using “waken” as a transitive verb, which means using it with a direct object. “Waken” is an intransitive verb, which means it does not take a direct object. Instead, it is followed by a prepositional phrase that indicates the cause of the awakening.

Incorrect: She wakened the baby from his nap.

Correct: She wakened the baby with a gentle touch.

Using “Wake” And “Waken” Interchangeably

Lastly, many people use “wake” and “waken” interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. “Wake” is used to indicate a state of being awake, while “waken” is used to indicate the act of awakening from sleep or unconsciousness.

Incorrect: I need to wake up early tomorrow.

Correct: I need to waken early tomorrow.

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings and usage of “wake” and “waken.” Here are some tips:

• Use “wake” to indicate a state of being awake, and “waken” to indicate the act of awakening.
• Remember that “waken” is an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object.
• Use “wakened” as the past participle of “waken.”

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use “wake” and “waken” correctly in your writing and speech.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “wake” and “waken” can depend on the context in which they are used. While both words have similar meanings, there are certain situations where one word may be more appropriate than the other.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “wake” and “waken” might change:

Context	Appropriate Word Choice
Everyday Conversation	“Wake” is the more commonly used word in everyday conversation. For example: “I woke up early this morning.”
Formal Writing	“Waken” is more appropriate for formal writing, such as in a research paper or academic article. For example: “The participants were wakened at 6am each morning.”
Old English Literature	“Waken” may be used in Old English literature or poetry to maintain the style and tone of the work. For example: “And wakened him with a kiss upon his brow.”

As seen in the examples above, the choice between “wake” and “waken” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the setting and tone of the writing or conversation to determine which word is most appropriate.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using wake and waken are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. In certain contexts, the traditional rules may not apply, and it is important to understand these exceptions to avoid making grammatical errors.

Exceptions For Wake

• Wake as a noun: While wake is primarily used as a verb, it can also function as a noun. In this case, it refers to the trail of disturbed water or air left behind by a moving boat or aircraft. For example: “The wake of the boat was visible from the shore.”
• Wake up vs. wake: In some cases, the phrasal verb “wake up” may be used instead of simply “wake.” This is particularly common in American English. For example: “I need to wake up early tomorrow.”

Exceptions For Waken

• Archaic usage: While waken is a legitimate word, it is considered archaic and is rarely used in modern English. In most cases, wake is the preferred verb. However, waken may be used in certain literary contexts to create a specific effect or tone.
• Regional variations: In some parts of the world, particularly in Scotland and Northern England, waken may be used more commonly than wake. This is a regional variation and is not considered standard English.

It is important to note that these exceptions are relatively rare, and in most cases, the rules for using wake and waken are straightforward and easy to follow.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between wake and waken, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your usage of these two verbs:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose either wake or waken to complete each sentence below:

1. She always __________ up early to go for a run.
2. He tried to __________ his friend, but she was already wide awake.
3. The sound of the alarm clock __________ me from my sleep.
4. They were __________ by the sound of thunder in the middle of the night.
5. It’s important to __________ up at the same time every day to establish a routine.

Answer Key:

1. wakes
2. waken
3. wakened
4. woken
5. wake

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

For each sentence below, rewrite it using the other verb (either wake or waken) to create a sentence with the same meaning:

1. I woke up early this morning.
2. The smell of coffee woke me up.
3. The sound of the alarm clock wakened me from my sleep.
4. I always wake up at 6am.

Answer Key:

1. I wakened early this morning.
2. The smell of coffee wakened me up.
3. The sound of the alarm clock woke me up from my sleep.
4. I always waken at 6am.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “wake” and “waken,” it is clear that these two verbs have distinct meanings and usages. “Wake” is a more common and versatile verb that can be used intransitively or transitively to refer to the act of coming out of sleep or causing someone else to do so. On the other hand, “waken” is a less common and more formal verb that is typically used transitively to mean “to cause someone to wake up.”

It is important for writers and speakers to understand the nuances of these verbs in order to communicate effectively and accurately. Using the wrong verb can lead to confusion or even convey the wrong message. By paying attention to context and meaning, we can choose the right verb for the job.

If you are interested in improving your grammar and language use, there are many resources available online and in print. From grammar guides to vocabulary builders, there are plenty of tools to help you become a more confident and effective communicator. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who enjoys language, there is always more to learn and explore.