sat away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sat away" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be interpreted as someone sitting at a distance or away from a particular location, but it is not commonly used in this way. Example: "She sat away from the group, preferring her own company."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Pell sat away from them.

The New Yorker

At Slate, trays of lukewarm pasta, quesadillas and salad sat away from the action, mere fuel for the dance floor.

The New York Times

At Raf Simons, the shorts sat away from the leg, often with a windowpane check.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He usually sat away from defense lawyers and prosecutors and spoke less than his client Mr. Paulding grew up in Wethersfield, a suburb south of Hartford.

The New York Times

A black dress with a frilled peplum turned to reveal a slash detail in the skirt's hem while ruffled skirts were matched with edgy squared-off crop tops that sat away from the body.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It gives the start of a day a more relaxed feel – rather than checking your emails while trying to spoon cereal into your mouth, you're sat away from your desk having a nice chat with your colleagues.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The women sit away and watch.

The Guardian

"I usually sit away from everyone else," said Celeste Arsenec of her shoe-shopping habits when it is hot.

The New York Times

Sitting away from the others as they awaited a train ride along Taiwan's scenic coastline, she offered a metaphor about two feuding brothers.

The New York Times

There is a lot of laughter, but a couple of the younger boys sit away from the group, silent and gloomy.

The Guardian

The $399 product uses infrared technology to allow gamers to sit away from the TV and not worry about connecting cables or having anyone complain about the noise.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone intentionally distancing themselves while sitting, consider using clearer alternatives like "sat apart" or "sat at a distance" to avoid ambiguity. Although "sat away" is understandable, it is less conventional.

Common error

Avoid using "sat away" when you mean someone simply sat down somewhere. This phrase implies a deliberate act of distancing, not just the act of sitting. Using it without that intent can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sat away" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of sitting at a distance from something or someone. The examples in Ludwig show instances where subjects physically separated themselves. Ludwig AI considers that the phrase could be interpreted as someone sitting at a distance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sat away" describes the action of sitting at a distance, often implying a deliberate act of separation. While understandable, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a standard grammatical construction, recommending alternatives like "sat apart" or "sat at a distance" for increased clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts and is considered to have a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider if a clearer, more common alternative might be more effective in communicating the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sat apart

Emphasizes physical separation while sitting.

sat at a distance

Highlights the spatial separation between the person sitting and others.

sat separately

Focuses on the act of sitting in a distinct, non-adjacent manner.

sat by oneself

Indicates solitude and lack of interaction while sitting.

sat in isolation

Implies a more pronounced sense of detachment and seclusion.

sat on the periphery

Suggests sitting at the edge of a group or gathering.

sat removed

Highlights the act of being distant or detached while sitting.

sat disengaged

Implies a lack of emotional or social connection while sitting.

sat in the back

Emphasizes a position at the rear, physically distanced from the front.

sat far off

Indicates a significant distance while sitting.

FAQs

What does "sat away" mean?

"Sat away" implies that someone positioned themselves at a distance from something or someone, usually intentionally. It suggests a deliberate separation while sitting.

How can I use "sat away" in a sentence?

You can use "sat away" to describe a physical separation: "He "sat away" from the noisy group". Remember that a clearer alternative could be "sat apart".

What are some alternatives to "sat away"?

Alternatives to "sat away" include "sat apart", "sat at a distance", or "sat separately". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "sat away" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "sat away" is not a standard grammatical construction. It's more common and clearer to use phrases like "sat apart" or "sat at a distance".