sat up for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sat up for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone remained awake or in an upright position for a specific purpose or duration, often waiting for someone or something. Example: "She sat up for hours, hoping he would return home safely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

When he hit the net again, the ball sat up for Djokovic to put away, untroubled.

The Guardian - Sport

My parents and my brother sat up for a while, and apparently Mum stayed completely calm until my brother put his arm around her shoulders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ball had sat up for Williams to put away and with Garcia sitting there helplessly and the court wide open, the ball was sent around six feet past the baseline.

The Guardian - Sport

Bayern's first chance came after just 25 seconds, when Rodríguez put presure on Dani Carvajal and the ball sat up for Robert Lewandowski, inside the six-yard box but at a tight angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Owen Williams put in a little chip that might have sat up for Telusa Veainu, if it had bounced one way, but instead it did so for Chris Wyles.

The Guardian - Sport

And I'd need to write a whole new essay about how, the night before I interviewed Brzezinski in the White House, I sat up for hours practising his name and got too tired to ask him anything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I could sit up for dinner with my father.

The New Yorker

She can pull herself up and sit up for several minutes.

The New York Times

But it was Fawlty Towers that made me really sit up for the first time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He could not even sit up for more than a couple of seconds without being overwhelmed with dizziness.

The New York Times

He puts his back into it but the ball sits up for Philander, who pulls for two.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sat up for" when you want to emphasize that someone remained awake, often to wait for someone or something, or when someone became more alert due to something happening.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense. "Sit up" refers to the action of moving to an upright position, while "sat up" is the past tense and should be used when describing an action that has already occurred. For example: "He will sit up when he hears the news" versus "He sat up when he heard the news".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sat up for" functions as a description of an action, indicating either staying awake for a reason or becoming suddenly attentive. Ludwig provides examples where it describes staying awake to wait for someone or becoming alert to something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sat up for" is a phrasal verb with two main meanings: staying awake, often to wait for someone or something, and becoming suddenly alert. It's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is well-established in English. When using this phrase, make sure to choose the correct tense and consider alternatives like "waited up for" or "perked up for" to best fit your intended meaning. While it’s considered neutral in tone, more formal options might exist for highly formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waited up for

This alternative focuses specifically on waiting for someone, often by staying awake longer than usual.

stayed awake for

This alternative emphasizes the act of remaining conscious for a particular reason or duration.

remained awake for

Similar to "stayed awake for", it highlights the continued state of being awake.

stayed up until

This variation clarifies the duration by specifying a time.

perked up for

This implies becoming more alert or attentive, often suddenly, for a specific reason.

became alert for

Similar to "perked up for", but focuses on achieving a state of vigilance.

paid attention to

This alternative focuses on the act of giving focus for a specific reason.

became attentive to

Expresses heightened alertness and focus toward something specific.

watched for

Highlights the act of keeping watch or waiting expectantly.

awaited

A more formal term for waiting, often used in literary or official contexts.

FAQs

What does "sat up for" mean?

"Sat up for" means to have stayed awake, usually later than usual, to wait for someone or something, or to have become suddenly alert and attentive.

What can I say instead of "sat up for"?

You can use alternatives like "waited up for", "stayed awake for", or "perked up for" depending on the context.

How do I use "sat up for" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "My parents and my brother "sat up for" a while, and apparently Mum stayed completely calm until my brother put his arm around her shoulders."

Is "sat up for" formal or informal?

"Sat up for" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "remained awake for" may be preferred in more formal settings.