I'm sober

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A statement that the speaker is not drunk and has not consumed alcohol.

   Grammar: Used as a complete sentence; the subject is always 'I' and the verb is 'am'.

   I'm sober tonight, so I'll drive everyone home.

   After three months without a drink, he can honestly say, 'I'm sober.'

   She told the bartender, 'I'm sober, but my friends aren't.'

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A statement that the speaker is serious, calm, and not joking.

   Grammar: Often used before a serious remark to show you are not being funny.

   I'm sober when I say this: we need to change our plan.

   Look at me—I'm sober. This is not a joke.

   I'm sober about the risks, and I still think we should try.

Common combinations

stay sober

He has stayed sober for two years.

completely sober

She was completely sober at the party.

sober driver

We need a sober driver tonight.

Synonyms and how they differ

clean

Used for someone who no longer takes drugs or alcohol, often in recovery contexts; 'sober' is more general and can also mean not drunk right now.

serious

Fits the second sense better when you mean not joking; 'sober' also suggests calm and solemn.

Opposites

Word family

sober adjective

Not drunk; serious and calm.

sobriety noun

The state of being sober.

soberly adverb

In a serious, calm way.

Commonly confused: I'm sober or I'm so bored?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “I'm sober”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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