is sat at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sat at" is not standard in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It is often used in informal contexts, particularly in British English, to describe someone sitting in a specific location. Example: "He is sat at the table, waiting for his friends to arrive."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Do you not think Floyd Mayweather is sat at home thinking 'I need a number 50 opponent and who better than the other man who beat Saul Alvarez?' "Do you not think Floyd will think.

The Guardian - Sport

Wage-slave Arthur Hastings is sat at his desk in an extravagantly British office in 1964, surrounded by Heath Robinson vacuum-tube machinery and period furniture, balefully performing his job of erasing uncomfortable stories from back-issues of a newspaper.

The Guardian - Tech

Who cares if a passenger goes missing (The Lady Vanishes), an all-star cast stabs a victim to death (Murder on the Orient Express) or a cackling Baron Samedi is sat at the front of the engine (Live and Let Die)?

The Guardian

what's the bet matthew mcconaughey is sat at home on a throne he made out of cardboard, tinfoil and assorted silver kitchen utensils rn.

Huffington Post

A Metallica song called "Lords of Summer" is sat at No.34, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds make not one, not two, but three appearances and the Brian Jonestown Massacre seem to still exist.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

My favorite thing to do is sit at a cafe and people-watch.

The New York Times

"All you have to do is sit at 18 and watch and you'll see that".

The New York Times - Sports

All you need to do is sit at your computer and type.

The Guardian - Opinion

All you want to do is sit at home and watch TV.

The Guardian - Books

And right now all Abrams wants to do is sit at the bridge and shout: "Give her all she's got!." Star Trek is out on Friday 8 May.

The Guardian - Film

If all they think scientists do is sit at a bench intoning over bubbling test tubes, they are missing the big picture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience, favor "is sitting at" over "is sat at" to ensure clarity and avoid alienating readers unfamiliar with regional variations.

Common error

Avoid using "is sat at" in formal or academic writing where standard English is expected. Using regionalisms can detract from your credibility with a wider audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sat at" functions as a present continuous passive construction, describing someone in a seated position at a specific location. It's a descriptive phrase indicating a state of being, specifically the state of being seated. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase isn't considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is sat at" describes someone in a seated position at a location. While prevalent especially in British English, according to Ludwig AI, it's not considered standard English and is flagged for potential grammatical issues. Its usage is thus more appropriate in informal contexts. For formal writing, alternatives like "is sitting at" are preferable. The phrase appears mostly in news and media sources. When in doubt, choosing more standard phrasing ensures clarity and avoids grammatical disputes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is sitting at

Uses the standard continuous tense form of "sit", making it grammatically conventional.

is seated at

Employs a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of being formally placed in a seat.

is positioned at

Focuses on the location or placement of the person, rather than the act of sitting.

occupies a seat at

Highlights the act of taking and holding a seat in a particular location.

is located at

Indicates the person's general location, with less emphasis on the act of sitting.

is present at

Simply states the person's presence at a location, without specifying their posture.

is stationed at

Suggests a more fixed or assigned position at a location.

can be found at

Highlights the possibility of finding the person at specified location, and usually not referred to physical status.

is present on

Highlights that the person is present on the specific surface. This alternative is less common in comparison with the original phrase.

is available in

Highlights that the person can be found only in that specific place. This alternative is less common in comparison with the original phrase.

FAQs

What's the difference between "is sat at" and "is sitting at"?

"Is sat at" is a less formal construction, common in British English, while "is sitting at" is the standard and more widely accepted form.

Is "is sat at" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, especially in certain dialects, "is sat at" is often considered grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. It's safer to use "is sitting at".

When should I use "is sat at"?

Use "is sat at" in informal settings, particularly if you're communicating with an audience familiar with British English. In formal writing, opt for "is sitting at".

What are some alternatives to "is sat at"?

Alternatives include "is sitting at", "is seated at", or "is located at", depending on the context.