sit aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sit aside' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to move to one side, or to take a seat on the side, usually to allow room for someone else. Example sentence: "John asked Susan to sit aside so he could sit down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I just have to sit aside like a traitor".

The New York Times - Magazine

Her lover Alice Toklas would sit aside with the wives.

The Guardian - Books

Today, a shopping mall, business hotel and multiplex cinema sit aside the sombre, 88-year-old, Gotham-like Borsigturm tower.

The Guardian - Arts

The G3 is a sleek, widescreen device that allows information to sit aside a full view of the action.

The Guardian - Sport

Louise Allbritton, a capable comedienne, does little more than sit aside and look arch, while David Bruce and Jacqueline de Wit pose and sputter in silly roles.

The New York Times

"No one can expect me to tell my soldiers 'Sit aside and don't shoot back,' " Mr. Ben-Eliezer said in an interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

On one, he sits aside other guitarists in jazz.

The New York Times - Arts

It sat aside in the 1950s as Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux countries forged a single market in coal and steel, which became a broader common market.

The Economist

Near the shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, firefighters stood and sat aside their equipment as they took breaks from battling fires in nearby.

The Washington Post

The Pres invites us to sat aside the reports of our own eyes and ears as we read the transcripts and to let his "interpretation" take their place..

The New Yorker

Scott was too burned to go in the water, and much of the time, he sat aside from the rush of things, a reflective, staid paterfamilias.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sit aside" when describing a physical action of moving to create space, or figuratively, to indicate inaction or allowing events to unfold without intervention.

Common error

Avoid using "sit aside" when you mean to "set aside", which implies reserving something (like time or money) for a specific purpose. "Sit aside" is about physical or metaphorical positioning, while "set aside" is about allocation or reservation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sit aside" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing an action of moving oneself to the side or remaining inactive. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sit aside" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb that conveys either a physical movement to the side or a decision to remain uninvolved. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, it's important to differentiate it from "set aside", which has a distinct meaning related to reserving or allocating. Although the phrase appears less frequently than other alternatives, such as "step aside" or "move to the side", it is found in several contexts, especially in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move to the side

Focuses on the action of physically moving to create space.

step aside

Implies yielding space or position to someone else.

move out of the way

Highlights the act of removing oneself as an obstruction.

make room

Emphasizes creating space for someone or something.

draw aside

Implies a deliberate movement away from a group or situation.

pull over

Suggests moving a vehicle to the side of the road.

retire to the side

Suggests a more formal or deliberate withdrawal.

sit separately

Focuses on the action of seating apart to others.

repair aside

Emphasizes moving or fixing the item to make room.

keep aloof

Emphasizes that the action to "sit aside" is to keep distance.

FAQs

How can I use "sit aside" in a sentence?

You can use "sit aside" to describe physically moving to the side to allow passage or to indicate a lack of participation. For example, "He asked her to "move to the side" so he could pass", or "He chose to "not participate" and just "watch" from the sidelines".

What does "sit aside" mean?

"Sit aside" can mean to physically move to one side or to metaphorically abstain from involvement, allowing events to proceed without interference. It's often used to describe a passive role or creating physical space.

What are some alternatives to "sit aside"?

Alternatives to "sit aside" include "step aside", "move to the side", "move out of the way", or "refrain from participating", depending on the specific context.

Is "sit aside" the same as "set aside"?

No, "sit aside" and "set aside" have different meanings. "Sit aside" means to physically move to one side or to abstain from participating, while "set aside" means to reserve or allocate something for a specific purpose. So, "reserve" is not the same as "move to the side"