sat out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sat out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone did not participate in an activity or event. Example: "She decided to sat out the game because she was feeling unwell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I sat out the rest.

The New Yorker

She always sat out back".

The New York Times

Richardson sat out with a bruised chest.

The New York Times - Sports

We sat out on the terrace.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rod Strickland sat out with sore hamstrings.

The New York Times - Sports

Wade sat out with a sprained right wrist.

The New York Times - Sports

He sat out, and now they reduced it to 50.

The New York Times - Sports

In hindsight, Staal acknowledged he should have sat out longer.

The New York Times - Sports

"Regular season, I probably would have sat out," Lewis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Children played outside and people sat out on their porches.

The Economist

Taua sat out as a redshirt.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sat out" when you want to clearly indicate that someone did not participate in something, whether due to injury, choice, or circumstance. For instance, "Due to a sprained ankle, she sat out the game."

Common error

Avoid using "sat out" when you want to convey active resistance or protest. It's better suited for situations where non-participation is due to inability or choice, not defiance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sat out" is as a verb phrase, specifically the past tense of the phrasal verb "sit out". It indicates the action of choosing not to participate in something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sat out" is a verb phrase correctly used to describe the act of not participating in an activity or event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, commonly used, and most frequently found in news and media contexts. It's a straightforward way to convey non-participation, whether due to injury, choice, or other circumstances. Remember to consider the connotation and use it appropriately to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives like "opted out of" or "did not participate in" can provide similar meanings in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opted out of

Emphasizes a formal or conscious decision to withdraw from a group or activity.

took no part in

Highlights the lack of involvement or contribution in a particular activity.

abstained from

Emphasizes a voluntary decision to refrain from something, often with a sense of principle or choice.

did not engage in

Stresses the absence of interaction or participation in a specific activity or event.

withdrew from

Highlights the act of removing oneself from an activity or commitment.

remained absent

Focuses on the state of being away or not present during an event or activity.

passed on

Indicates declining an opportunity or offer, often in a polite or indirect manner.

skipped

Implies a deliberate choice to miss or avoid an activity, often informally.

stayed away from

Focuses on maintaining a distance or avoiding proximity to something.

bypassed

Suggests going around or avoiding something, often to avoid a difficulty or obstacle.

FAQs

How to use "sat out" in a sentence?

You can use "sat out" to indicate someone's non-participation in an event or activity. For example, "He "sat out" the game due to an injury."

What can I say instead of "sat out"?

You can use alternatives like "opted out of", "did not participate in", or "abstained from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sat out" or "set out"?

"Sat out" means to not participate, while "set out" means to begin a journey or task. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "sat out" and "waited out"?

"Sat out" implies non-participation in an activity, while "waited out" means to endure a situation until it ends. For example, someone might "sit out" a game due to injury, while they "wait out" a storm.