sitting between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sitting between" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that two or more things are closely grouped around a particular object, person, place, or idea. For example, "The three buildings were sitting between a supermarket and a park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm sitting between two men.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With Oprah Winfrey sitting between them?

The New Yorker

Martin is sitting between his knees.

The Guardian

She was sitting between Todd and me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A gunner was sitting between us at a machine gun.

The New York Times

How does it feel to be sitting between them?

The New York Times

Whitaker adds: "You're sitting between home and first.

The New York Times - Arts

A woman sitting between the two men smiled.

The New York Times

He enjoyed sitting between his distinguished parents--the musician, the young poet, & the actor.

The New Yorker

The hostage was filmed sitting between two armed and masked men.

The Guardian

They were at Doby's funeral last June, and Vincent was sitting between Berra and Ralph Branca.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sitting between" to clearly indicate a position that is physically or conceptually in the middle of two or more entities. For instance, "The compromise "sitting between" the two extremes offered a viable solution."

Common error

Avoid using "sitting between" when referring to more than two distinct entities unless emphasizing the space or relationship connecting the two outermost items. For example, rather than saying "The park is "sitting between" three buildings", consider rephrasing for clarity, as 'The park is surrounded by three buildings'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sitting between" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb to describe the location or position of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that something is located in the middle of two other things. Examples from Ludwig show it being used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sitting between" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the position of something located in the middle of two other entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its prevalence in news media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves precisely two entities to avoid ambiguity. For alternatives, consider "positioned among", "located amidst", or "sandwiched between", each offering slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positioned among

Focuses on the placement of something within a group or series, changing the emphasis from the action of "sitting".

located amidst

Highlights the location of something surrounded by other things, differing in its descriptive quality.

placed in the middle of

Emphasizes a central position, varying the structure of the phrase.

sandwiched between

Implies being tightly enclosed or pressed between two things, adding a sense of confinement.

nested among

Suggests a cozy or sheltered position within a group, changing the tone.

surrounded by

Indicates being enclosed or encircled, shifting from a linear to a more encompassing arrangement.

amongst

A slightly more formal alternative to "among", indicates being within or surrounded by.

centred between

Emphasizes that one is in the middle point of 2 items, more geometrical meaning.

flanked by

It suggests a more guarded or protected position, with objects on either side acting as protectors.

among

Using "among" it removes the direct action of "sitting" while still indicating inclusion within a group.

FAQs

How can I use "sitting between" in a sentence?

You can use "sitting between" to describe someone or something physically located in the middle of two things, such as "She was "sitting between" her parents at the movie theater". It can also be used figuratively to describe something that falls in the middle of two extremes.

What are some alternatives to "sitting between"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "positioned among", "located amidst", or "sandwiched between" as alternatives to "sitting between". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance.

When is it incorrect to use "sitting between"?

It's generally incorrect to use "sitting between" when describing a position that is not literally or figuratively in the middle of two distinct entities. If there are more than two entities and the relation is not with the two outermost items, consider using alternatives like "among" or "surrounded by".

What's the difference between "sitting between" and "standing between"?

"Sitting between" implies a seated position, while "standing between" implies a standing position. The choice depends on the physical stance of the subject in relation to the objects or people on either side. Both denote a position in the middle.