she was seated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was seated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of someone being placed in a seat or taking a seat, often in a formal or narrative context. Example: "As the guests arrived, she was seated at the head of the table, ready to begin the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was seated.

The New York Times

She was seated to my left.

The New York Times

She was seated in the pew behind me.

The New Yorker

She was seated in state while chants were recited.

The New Yorker

She was seated next to a high achiever.

The New York Times - Magazine

Being Renee Fleming, she was seated next to the bishop.

The New York Times

She was seated grimly with her arms on the kitchen table.

The New Yorker

Joanna Carson, the star's third wife, was upset about where she was seated.

The New York Times - Books

She was seated at the president's table with Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones and Maya Angelou.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She's seated.

Yale University

She's seated in the middle.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was seated" to describe a formal arrangement or a specific placement, especially in narrative or descriptive writing to provide context about a character's location or status.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice when describing someone being seated if the actor is known. Instead of "she was seated by the host", a more direct and active sentence like "the host seated her" might be clearer and more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was seated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the action of someone being placed or positioned in a seat. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It often provides context about a character's location or status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was seated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes the action of placing someone in a seat or their state of being seated, often implying a degree of formality or narrative significance. While alternatives like "she sat down" or "she took a seat" exist, "she was seated" is particularly useful for emphasizing the context or arrangement surrounding the act of sitting. When using this phrase, be mindful of the passive voice and consider whether a more active construction would improve clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she sat down

Focuses on the action of sitting, rather than being placed.

she took a seat

Emphasizes the act of choosing and occupying a seat.

she was sitting

Highlights the state of being seated, not the action of being placed.

she found a seat

Implies a search or effort to locate a place to sit.

she occupied a chair

More formal; specifies occupying a chair.

she positioned herself

More general; doesn't necessarily mean sitting.

she was placed

Passive voice, emphasizing external action but lacking the information that the final position is a seat.

she had a seat

Focuses on possession of a seat rather than the action of sitting.

she got settled

Implies a process of becoming comfortable, including sitting.

she reclined

Implies leaning back, more specific than simply sitting.

FAQs

How can I use "she was seated" in a sentence?

The phrase "she was seated" indicates that someone was placed or took a seat. For example, "She was seated at the head of the table" or "She was seated next to the guest of honor".

What are some alternatives to "she was seated"?

Alternatives include "she sat down", "she took a seat", or "she was sitting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "she was seated" or "she sat down"?

"She was seated" often implies a formal arrangement or placement, while "she sat down" is a more general description of the action of sitting. The best choice depends on the context.

What does "she was seated" suggest about the situation?

The phrase "she was seated" can suggest that the situation is formal, that someone else placed her there, or that her seating arrangement is significant to the narrative or context.