sitting closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sitting closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the physical proximity of people or objects that are positioned near each other. Example: "During the movie, we found ourselves sitting closely together on the couch, sharing popcorn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As the meeting broke up, Jonas observed what was surely an uncommonly successful attempt at Tolkien-themed romance: a girl and a boy sitting closely next to each other, the girl's right hand holding a pen, while the boy's hand clasped hers over it, as they traced, as one, the elegant lines of Elvish calligraphy.

The New Yorker

This year's bestselling album might be by Susan Boyle, but sitting closely below her is Lady Gaga, a woman who sang on the X Factor while dressed like a bat in a bath, and got to No 1 as a consequence – which in itself shows that the tastes of the X Factor audience go beyond euphoric lyrics and dramatic key changes.

The Guardian - Music

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Vice

Whatever happens between Minaj, Jenner and Scott, it will likely all come to a head on Monday night at the MTV Video Music Awards, where the three will be sitting closely to one another.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As two girls with 'alternative' hair styles, dressed in jeans and t-shirts and sitting so closely we got a few stares – nothing unusual about that.

Independent

Even sitting relatively closely, I found myself straining to hear the piano in the cavernous opera house, distracted by many other shifting listeners and the sound of sirens seeping in from outside, probably coming from the NYPD following Eric Garner protesters.

The Guardian - Music

While the digital age has influenced and accelerated our focus on all things digital, let's not forget that before its time -- it was poor lighting, reading too many books or sitting too closely to the television screen that would "ruin your eyes".

Huffington Post

"They were packed so closely, sitting with their knees drawn up to their chests, that you couldn't see the floor.

The New York Times

A bright narrowband around the circle is an outstanding feature displayed by CPD of the yeast PIN (Fig. 1a): Most links are short and connect closely sitting nodes, which means that most nodes have a narrow spectrum of partners.

Plosone

Lifestyle behaviours were present but not a sole focus, sitting alongside and closely entwined with, attending to ones emotional balance, seen in this sequence of comments from the Turkish group: "I need to look after my diet, yes, and also keep myself happy, my morals up and keep the stress away.

BMC Health Services Research

Sitting still — just sitting!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sitting closely" when you want to emphasize the physical proximity and potential intimacy or tension between individuals. Avoid using it in formal settings where objective descriptions are preferred. You can use alternative such as "sitting near" when you don't want to add connotations.

Common error

Be mindful of the connotations associated with "sitting closely". Overusing it may inadvertently suggest romantic or intimate feelings, even when they are not intended. If the situation is purely platonic, opt for alternatives like "sitting near" or "sitting together" to maintain neutrality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sitting closely" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, describing the manner in which someone is sitting. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is a correct and usable descriptor of physical proximity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sitting closely" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, although not extremely common. As verified by Ludwig AI, it effectively describes physical proximity, often implying a sense of intimacy or tension. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for various writing styles. When employing this phrase, be mindful of its potential connotations and consider alternatives like "sitting near" or "sitting together" if neutrality is desired. Therefore, choose "sitting closely" when you want to add that emotional connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathered intimately

Highlights the closeness and personal nature of the gathering.

huddled together

Implies a more intimate and protective closeness, often in response to cold or fear.

clustering nearby

Emphasizes a group coming together in a tight bunch.

nestled together

Suggests a comfortable and affectionate closeness, often implying care.

packed together

Indicates a crowded situation with very little space between individuals.

crouching near

Focuses on a lower physical position in close proximity.

standing shoulder to shoulder

Describes a close, supportive stance, often in solidarity.

perched close by

Implies sitting on a raised surface or edge in proximity.

drawing near

Suggests the action of approaching and achieving proximity.

adjacent seating

Focuses specifically on the arrangement of seats being next to each other.

FAQs

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

You can use "sitting closely" to describe people or objects positioned near each other. For example, "During the performance, the audience members were sitting closely to get a better view."

What's the difference between "sitting closely" and "sitting near"?

"Sitting closely" emphasizes the proximity and can suggest intimacy or tension, while "sitting near" simply indicates being in close proximity without added connotations.

What are some alternatives to "sitting closely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "huddled together", "nestled together", or "sitting together".

Is "sitting closely" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sitting closely" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the physical arrangement of individuals or objects in close proximity.