sat down with

USAGE SUMMARY

"sat down with" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take a seat and have a conversation or meal with someone. Example: "I sat down with my friend at the cafe to catch up on our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I sat down with Judah.

The New York Times

Later, I sat down with Varley.

The New Yorker

Four armed commandos sat down with him.

The New Yorker

I sat down with Capt.

The Washington Post

So he sat down with Fox News.

The Washington Post

And they sat down with her parents.

The Washington Post

Beckerman sat down with her and ate.

The New York Times - Magazine

She sat down with his extensive chart.

The New York Times - Magazine

I recently sat down with Mr. Campbell.

The New York Times

He sat down with Carrier leaders.

The Washington Post

Greenberg sat down with his coffee.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about formal events, consider "met with" or "conferred with" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sat down with" in extremely formal contexts where a more professional term like "consulted with" or "briefed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sat down with" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating an action (sitting down) performed with someone. It describes the physical act of sitting together, often implying a meeting or conversation. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sat down with" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that describes the act of taking a seat and engaging in conversation or an activity with someone. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more formal alternatives like "met with" or "consulted with" when appropriate. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use "sat down with" to convey the intended meaning and maintain a consistent tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met with

Emphasizes the act of meeting, often for a specific purpose.

conferred with

Suggests a more formal and deliberate discussion.

had a discussion with

Highlights the exchange of ideas and opinions.

spoke with

A general term for having a conversation.

consulted with

Implies seeking advice or guidance.

interviewed

Specifically refers to a formal questioning session.

engaged in conversation with

A more elaborate way of saying 'spoke with'.

spent time with

Focuses on the duration and shared activity.

shared a meal with

Highlights the act of eating together.

broke bread with

An idiomatic expression for sharing a meal and companionship.

FAQs

What does "sat down with" mean?

The phrase "sat down with" means to take a seat and engage in a conversation or activity, often a meal, with someone. It implies a deliberate and somewhat formal interaction.

What can I say instead of "sat down with"?

You can use alternatives like "met with", "spoke with", or "had a discussion with" depending on the context.

Is "sat down with" formal or informal?

The phrase "sat down with" is generally considered neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it suggests a more intentional interaction than simply "talking" to someone. For more formal situations, consider "conferred with" or "consulted with".

How to use "sat down with" in a sentence?

Example: "I sat down with the manager to discuss my performance review." It indicates you had a meeting and conversation with the manager.