share a seat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "share a seat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of allowing someone to sit next to you or in a shared space. Example: "During the crowded event, I offered to share a seat with my friend so we could both enjoy the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For instance, two traveling companions make manifest their commitment to keep track of one another, whereas two people who happen to share a seat on a train do not.

SEP

From sweetermans to lost tourists, here are a few of the outsized personalities you're bound to share a seat with on your ride home.

Vice

I share a seat with a sassy Latino mother of three, an overweight but cute secretary with designer glasses, and I stare directly across into the eyes of a Christian Bale lookalike circa American Psycho.

Vice

I share a seat with a sassy Latino mother of three, an overweight but cute secretary with designer glasses, and I stare directly across into the eyes of a Christian Bale look-alike circa American Psycho.

Vice

If the bus driver makes you share a seat, don't argue.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They posed for a photograph, shared a seat on a bench and chatted for a few minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

I crammed into Mezher's vehicle, sharing a seat with a corporal in a black balaclava.

The New Yorker

Because seats were in such demand, most newspapers were paired and had to take turns sharing a seat.

Harvard University

Some people even stood in the back, and one young guy behind me shared a seat with a friend.

The Guardian

A lady on a commuters' train shared a seat with a youthful seaman to whom she offered her copy of the Times.

The New Yorker

Empty bottles of sparkling wine shared a seat with her and her roommate Lauren Stallworth, 25. "It makes it feel more like vacay," Ms. Moran added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public transportation or crowded events, consider using "share a seat" to depict the interactions between strangers.

Common error

Avoid using "share a seat" when the context implies unequal sharing or discomfort. Instead, use more precise language to describe the seating arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share a seat" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of two or more people occupying the same seating space. This implies cooperation, necessity, or simply the nature of shared resources, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "share a seat" is a verb phrase describing the act of two or more individuals occupying the same seating space. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears across a range of sources like news articles, wikis, and scientific documents, suggesting a neutral register. It is important to choose more descriptive alternatives if more descriptive and precise language is needed. Usage tips focus on the phrase's connotation of necessary cooperation in spaces with limited seating and describing interactions on public transport. Alternatives like "sit together" or "make room for someone" can be used for semantic variance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

double up on a seat

Directly implies two people occupying one seat, often temporarily.

offer someone a seat

Focuses on the act of providing a seat to someone, rather than the shared aspect.

make room for someone

Implies creating space for someone to sit, possibly by adjusting existing seating arrangements.

squeeze in next to someone

Suggests a tighter fit and less personal space.

make space on the bench

Specific to bench seating, implying an adjustment to accommodate another person.

sit close together

Emphasizes proximity but doesn't necessarily imply sharing a single seat.

scoot over

An informal request to move and create space on a seat.

find a spot together

Highlights the act of searching for and occupying a space collectively.

huddle together for space

Emphasizes closeness to make space for more people.

give up my seat

Indicates relinquishing a seat, often for someone else's benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "share a seat" in a sentence?

You can use "share a seat" to describe the act of two or more people occupying the same seating space, such as "I had to "share a seat" on the bus with a stranger".

What are some alternatives to "share a seat"?

Alternatives include "sit together", "co-occupy a seat", or "make room for someone", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "shared a seat" instead of "share a seat"?

"Shared a seat" is the past tense of "share a seat" and is correct when describing a past event. "Share a seat" is used for present or general statements.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "share a seat"?

It's appropriate when describing situations where people must sit together due to limited seating, such as on public transport, in a crowded venue, or during a meeting.