in one sitting

USAGE SUMMARY

"in one sitting" is a common phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is done all at once, or without interruption. For example: "I read the entire book in one sitting!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then sit down and reread them in one sitting.

Forbes

Not in one sitting".

The Guardian - Film

In one sitting.

The New York Times - Food

Don't read too much in one sitting.

The Guardian - Books

I read this book in one sitting.

The Guardian

When I got it, I read it in one sitting.

The Guardian - Film

I remember devouring the book in one sitting.

The Guardian - Opinion

I could read a book, all in one sitting.

The New York Times - Arts

"He used to eat six pork chops in one sitting.

The New York Times

You lose hours to reading novels in one sitting.

The New York Times - Magazine

You can read this book in one sitting.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in one sitting" to emphasize efficiency or a sustained effort. For instance, "I finished the report in one sitting to meet the deadline."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "in one sitting" in highly formal documents. Opt for phrases like "in a single session" or "without interruption" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in one sitting" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action is completed at once, without interruption. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

33%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in one sitting" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is done completely and without interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples from various sources. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news, academic and scientific content, with a slightly informal register, suggesting it might be best to opt for more formal alternatives in certain professional contexts. Related phrases include "at one go" and "in a single session", which can provide a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a single session

Substitutes "sitting" with the more formal "session", emphasizing the structured nature of the activity.

in one stretch

Emphasizes the sustained effort and duration of the activity.

at one go

Replaces "sitting" with "go", suggesting a single, uninterrupted attempt or action.

straight through

Indicates completing something from beginning to end without stopping.

without a break

Focuses on the continuous nature of the action, highlighting the absence of interruptions.

at one time

Suggests that everything happens simultaneously and is completed without delay.

from start to finish

Highlights the complete and uninterrupted nature of the activity.

all at once

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the simultaneous completion of the task.

in quick succession

Highlights the speed and immediacy of completing multiple actions.

continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the action.

FAQs

What does "in one sitting" mean?

The phrase "in one sitting" means completing a task or consuming something entirely at one time, without any breaks or interruptions.

What can I say instead of "in one sitting"?

You can use alternatives like "at one go", "in a single session", or "without a break" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "in one sitting"?

Yes, the phrase "in one sitting" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations.

How can I use "in one sitting" in a sentence?

You can use "in one sitting" to describe completing a task or consuming something entirely at once, for example: "I read the book "in one sitting"", or "He ate all the cookies "in one sitting"".