sit at ease

USAGE SUMMARY

"sit at ease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to tell someone to sit in a relaxed position. For example, "Please sit at ease in your chair and I will begin the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Leadbeater wrote to Besant that he had received instructions from Koot Hoomi: They have lived long in hell; try to show them something of Paradise.... Teach them to use spoons and forks, nail brushes and tooth brushes, to sit at ease upon chairs instead of crouching on the ground, to sleep rationally on a bed, not in a corner like a dog.

The New Yorker

Item 7 simultaneously refers to psychomotor agitation ("cannot sit at ease") and inner tension or anhedonia ("cannot feel relaxed"), which may cause the dual loading in this study.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The major inconsistency in relation to this sample is the tendency of one of the anxiety items (item 7: " I can sit at ease and feel relaxed') to show more substantial loadings on the Depression factor.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The major inconsistency in relation to this sample is the tendency for item 7 (" I can sit at ease and feel relaxed') to show more substantial loadings on the Depression factor, rather than its Anxiety factor.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

However, it was also observed that the HADS-A item-7 'I can sit at ease and feel relaxed' was jointly loading on both anxiety and depression factors, this split-loading slightly in favour of the depression factor.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Interestingly, Moorey [ 37] did find some inconsistencies in their analysis with the HADS-A item 'I can sit at ease and feel relaxed' loading onto the HADS-D sub-scale.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Pope sometimes lurks but more often sits at ease on a throne or on a chamber pot.

The New Yorker

Men in broad-brimmed hats - lit always, it seemed, from the left, by the cool light from high windows - sat at ease at the table, girls lifted tall wine glasses, a serving woman poured milk, loaves of bread appeared more solid and tactile than any that we were eating.

The Guardian - Books

How will we sit at our ease in a restaurant, cinema or theater?

The New York Times

How will we sit at our ease in a restaurant, cinema or theatre?

The Guardian

"How will we sit at our ease in a restaurant, cinema or theater?" The answer is: We all will.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sit at ease", consider the formality of the situation. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "relax comfortably".

Common error

Avoid using "sit at ease" repeatedly in formal writing. Vary your language by incorporating alternatives such as "rest comfortably" or simply "relax" to maintain reader engagement and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sit at ease" primarily functions as an imperative or descriptive phrase. It instructs or describes a state of relaxed sitting. Ludwig examples showcase it both as direct instruction and in descriptive contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sit at ease" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not overly common, with only 6 exact examples found, its usage spans across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and even wikis, which contributes to its 'Uncommon' frequency. The primary function is to instruct or describe a state of relaxed sitting, with a neutral to informal register. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "relax comfortably" may be more appropriate. The examples available in Ludwig offer further context on how to effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relax comfortably

This alternative replaces the idiom with more direct terms for relaxation and comfort.

rest in comfort

Focuses on the resting aspect while maintaining the idea of being comfortable.

recline without strain

Emphasizes the absence of tension while resting.

be at rest peacefully

Highlights the tranquility and stillness of the resting state.

settle down serenely

Suggests a calm and composed manner of sitting or resting.

lounge without concern

Implies a carefree attitude while relaxing.

unwind effortlessly

Focuses on the ease and naturalness of relaxation.

make yourself comfortable

This is a direct invitation to relax, often used when welcoming someone.

take a load off

An informal idiom that suggests relieving oneself of burdens by sitting.

kick back and relax

A casual and common way to encourage someone to relax and enjoy themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "sit at ease" in a sentence?

You can use "sit at ease" to instruct someone to relax while sitting, as in "Please "sit at ease" while I explain the process."

What are some alternatives to "sit at ease"?

Alternatives include "relax comfortably", "rest in comfort", or simply "relax", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sit at ease" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sit at ease" may sound less formal than alternatives like "relax comfortably" in certain professional settings. Consider your audience and tone.

What's the difference between "sit at ease" and "standing at ease"?

"Sit at ease" implies a relaxed posture while seated, whereas "standing at ease" refers to a relaxed, but not seated, position, often used in military contexts.