sitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sitting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a physical position or a state of being, often in relation to a person or an object. Example: "She was sitting quietly in the corner, lost in thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it was always the same dream: in the dream I'd be asleep, I'd wake up, sit up in my bed, and he'd be sitting there on the edge of my bed, staring at me, with the bullet hole still in his chin, about the size of a nickel.

The Guardian

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

"There was a group of us who had dinner together on a Tuesday night [at parliament] … I was sitting beside Mr Obeid at the time and was told 'Keep away from Ms Schott – they're coming after her,' " Costa said.

The Guardian

The SNP came fourth in Edinburgh South in the 2010 general election but is now a serious challenge to sitting Labour MP and shadow business manager Ian Murray after the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed.

The Guardian

Four weeks later while I was sitting at Heathrow airport, an email dropped into my inbox and told me I had lost.

The Guardian

She screams: "I am not your daughter," at a woman already sitting in the car, presumably García, who later gets out.

The Guardian

Or maybe even Scott sitting next to Angelina Jolie, who'll be wearing a huge Cleopatra headdress?

The Guardian - Film

Often, half the people attending have been in leftwing politics for years, and the other half are in community action groups and no longer identify as left; it can be difficult, sitting between them, to see how the meeting could ever tip into something bigger.

The Guardian

A sociology professor exclaimed: "I've been sitting in these meetings for fucking decades!

The Guardian

She was just sitting there weeping so it's still very real, it's still very present, it's still very alive.

The Guardian

Rosie Rogers, 28, and I are sitting in a tipi outside her office in Highbury, London.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sitting" to describe a formal event or meeting, ensure that the context clearly indicates the gathering's purpose, such as "sitting in session" or "parliamentary sitting".

Common error

Avoid using "sitting" in contexts where the intended meaning is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "the problem is sitting on the table", clarify with "the problem remains unresolved" or "the issue is still under consideration".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sitting" is as a present participle of the verb sit, often used to form continuous verb tenses (e.g., "She was sitting"). It can also function as an adjective, as in ""sitting MP"". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sitting" is a versatile term that functions primarily as a present participle and adjective. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. As a present participle, it often forms continuous verb tenses describing an ongoing action; as an adjective, it modifies nouns, such as in the phrase ""sitting MP"", denoting incumbency. Its register varies from formal in political and academic settings to neutral in everyday conversation. The most frequent contexts for "sitting" are News & Media, Sport and Lifestyle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being seated

Focuses on the state of being in a seated position, rather than the action.

in a seated position

Emphasizes the posture of being seated.

occupying a seat

Highlights the act of taking up a place to sit.

taking a seat

Suggests the action of moving to and sitting in a chair.

being present

Indicates being in a location, which can sometimes imply sitting, especially in formal contexts.

holding office

Refers to the state of currently being in an official position.

incumbent

Specifically refers to someone currently holding a position or office.

in session

Indicates a period of time when a group or body is meeting.

in chambers

Refers to a judge or lawyer being in their private office, often implying a formal setting.

taking part

Suggests involvement in an activity or meeting, which might involve sitting.

FAQs

How can I use "sitting" in a sentence?

"Sitting" can describe a physical position (e.g., "She was sitting on the chair"), a legislative session (e.g., "The parliamentary sitting was adjourned"), or an incumbent (e.g., "the "sitting MP"").

What are some alternatives to "sitting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "being seated", "in session", "holding office", or simply describe the action (e.g., "taking a seat").

Is it correct to say "sitting MP"?

Yes, ""sitting MP"" is a common and correct way to refer to a Member of Parliament who currently holds their seat.

What does "sitting" mean in the context of a legislative body?

In the context of a legislative body, "sitting" refers to a period during which the body is in session, conducting its business and proceedings.