sitting across from

USAGE SUMMARY

"sitting across from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the position of someone or something in relation to another person or object, with a distance between them. Example: "I was sitting across from my sister at the dinner table, trying to avoid her gaze as I finished my meal." In this sentence, the speaker is indicating that they were positioned directly opposite their sister, with the table separating them. "Sitting across from" is a clear and concise way to describe this scenario. It can be used in both formal and informal writing, such as in essays, articles, letters, and even in social media posts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"These people, who are supposed to be sitting next to us, are sitting across from us".

The New York Times - Science

A handsome couple was sitting across from us.

Huffington Post

A man sitting across from me stared.

The New Yorker

A woman was sitting across from him.

The New Yorker

She awoke to find the man sitting across from her.

The New Yorker

Somehow we ended up sitting across from each other.

The New York Times

Days later, he was sitting across from two prosecutors.

The New Yorker

The guy sitting across from me was named Chris.

The New Yorker

'He was sitting across from me talking,' Redgrave/ Didion recalls.

The Guardian

There is a skinny boy, no older than 7, sitting across from me.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't want to be sitting across from me at a hearing," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sitting across from" to clearly indicate a face-to-face position, especially in situations where the specific arrangement is relevant to the narrative or description. This is particularly effective in establishing the dynamics of a conversation or interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "sitting around from" when you mean "sitting across from". "Around" suggests a less direct or less defined spatial relationship, whereas "across from" clearly indicates a position directly opposite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sitting across from" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate spatial positioning. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It describes the location of someone or something in relation to another person or object, typically implying a face-to-face arrangement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sitting across from" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a face-to-face spatial arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "opposite to where someone is sitting" or "across the table from", "sitting across from" offers a clear and concise way to indicate this specific positional relationship. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in describing the setting and avoid common errors such as confusing it with "sitting around from."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across the table from

This specifies the table as the reference point for the position.

opposite to where someone is sitting

This alternative phrase is a longer and more descriptive way of saying the same thing. It specifies that the location is directly facing the person.

directly facing someone who is sitting

This is a more elaborate way of saying that someone is in a face-to-face position while the other party is sitting.

facing someone while seated

This alternative focuses on the act of facing someone and adds the detail that both parties are sitting.

opposing someone who is sitting

Highlights the opposition in position and specifies that the other party is seated.

at the other side of the table

This specifies the location in terms of a table, assuming a dining or meeting context.

in front of someone seated

This alternative emphasizes the 'in front' aspect of the position.

in a face-to-face seating arrangement

This alternative is formal and describes the setup rather than the immediate action.

vis-à-vis while seated

This uses a French loanword to indicate 'face-to-face' and specifies both parties are seated.

on the other side

This is a shorter, more general way of indicating the opposite position and only specifies that they are on another side.

FAQs

How can I use "sitting across from" in a sentence?

You can use "sitting across from" to describe someone's position relative to another person or object. For example, "She was "sitting across from" me at the table, smiling warmly."

What can I say instead of "sitting across from"?

You can use alternatives like "opposite to where someone is sitting", "facing someone while seated", or "across the table from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sitting across from" or "sitting across of"?

"Sitting across from" is correct. The preposition "from" is necessary to indicate the relationship between the two subjects. "Sitting across of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "sitting across from" and "sitting next to"?

"Sitting across from" indicates a face-to-face position, while "sitting next to" indicates a side-by-side position. The key difference is the spatial arrangement.