Why do we say, "She slept in the bed?" instead of, "She slept on the bed?" Obviously, we sleep on the bed, not in the bed. Or, is it in reference to 'sleeping in the bedroom?" But, what if the bed isn't located in the bedroom? — Benny, Kenya
Answer
We say "in (the) bed" to mean that someone is lying under the bed's covers (such as a sheet and blanket or comforter). Someone under the covers/blankets of a bed is said to be sleeping/lying in (the) bed. Below are some examples of how the phrase is used.
They saw Goldilocks sleeping in the bed.
He fell asleep as soon as he got in bed.
There are two people in the bed.
The phrase "on the bed" is used usually to mean that something or someone is on top of the covers. This phrase can be used for people and also objects or pets, and is not usually used when someone is sleeping. Below are some examples of how the phrase is used.
He set his laundry on the bed before putting it away.
The kids sat on the bed and looked at a picture book together.
