is sitting outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sitting outside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is currently positioned outside a building or structure. Example: "The cat is sitting outside on the porch, enjoying the warm sun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It's left to her mother Marie-Michelle, who is sitting outside, to tell their story.

The Guardian

Setting off is simple - no buses, no trains, no planes; the loaned car is sitting outside.

The Guardian - Travel

NEW HAVEN — On this hot summer day, Michael A. Bellesiles is sitting outside the abandoned red brick armory here.

The New York Times - Books

"We literally control the distribution because the satellite is sitting outside the Met in a van," Mr. Gelb said.

The New York Times - Arts

A lone protester is sitting outside with police, peevish and aggrieved: "They grabbed me and pushed me out.

The Guardian

He is sitting outside in his car while we speak, although I can't see that this is the right move.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Two Canadian guys were sitting outside, and they looked friendly.

The New Yorker

They were sitting outside, the sun-speckled shade falling across their table.

The New Yorker

It was the middle of October and he was sitting outside, sweating through his shirt.

The New Yorker

We were sitting outside, in Manchester, New Hampshire, and he was eating nachos.

The New Yorker

"I have to admit she was sitting outside, and she did catch my eye".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is sitting outside" when you want to specifically describe someone's action of being seated in an outdoor location. Ensure the context clearly indicates the outdoor setting for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is sitting outside" when the context clearly indicates an indoor setting. For example, it would be incorrect to say "He is sitting outside in the living room". In such cases, simply use "is sitting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sitting outside" functions as a present continuous verb phrase describing an ongoing action of being seated in an outdoor location. Ludwig confirms this through its examples of real-world usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is sitting outside" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase. It effectively describes the action of being seated in an outdoor setting. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates an outdoor location. Alternatives like "is located outdoors" or "is in an outdoor setting" can be used to vary the phrasing while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is located outdoors

Replaces "sitting" with "located" and "outside" with "outdoors", focusing on the location rather than the action.

is positioned outside

Uses "positioned" instead of "sitting" to emphasize placement, and retains "outside".

is in an outdoor setting

Shifts the focus to the environment, implying the person is present in that setting.

is relaxing outdoors

Adds the element of relaxation to the action, implying a leisurely activity.

is enjoying the open air

Highlights the act of benefiting from being in the open air, changing the verb and noun.

is taking a seat outside

Emphasizes the action of sitting down outdoors, adding a more deliberate action.

is out in the open

Emphasizes the exposure and visibility of the location, rather than the action of sitting.

is stationed outdoors

Suggests a more formal or deliberate placement in an outdoor area.

is lounging outside

Implies a casual and relaxed posture or activity, using "lounging" instead of simply "sitting".

is dwelling al fresco

Uses a more sophisticated term "al fresco" to indicate outdoors, changing the verb to "dwelling".

FAQs

What does "is sitting outside" mean?

The phrase "is sitting outside" describes the action of someone being seated in an outdoor area. It implies a state of being positioned in an open-air environment, rather than indoors.

What can I say instead of "is sitting outside"?

You can use alternatives like "is located outdoors", "is positioned outside", or "is in an outdoor setting" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is sitting outside"?

It is appropriate to use "is sitting outside" when you want to specifically indicate that someone is seated in an outdoor location, emphasizing both the action of sitting and the outdoor setting. It's suitable for describing a scene or situation where the location is relevant.

How does "is sitting outside" differ from "is outside"?

"Is outside" simply indicates that someone is present in an outdoor location, without specifying their posture or activity. "Is sitting outside", on the other hand, specifies that they are in a seated position outdoors. The former focuses on location, while the latter focuses on action and location.