they sat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they sat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of a group of people taking a seated position. Example: "After a long day of hiking, they sat on the grass to rest and enjoy the view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They sat.

The New Yorker

They sat in silence.

The New Yorker

Then they sat down.

The New York Times

"They sat there.

The New Yorker

Calmly they sat upright.

The New Yorker

They sat together.

The New Yorker

Then they sat on dressers.

The New Yorker

They sat at the table.

The New Yorker

They sat on their hands.

The New York Times - Arts

They sat side by side.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They sit companionably.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they sat" to clearly and concisely describe a group of people taking a seated position. It's versatile and suitable for most contexts.

Common error

Avoid confusing "sit" (to be in a seated position) with "set" (to place something). "They set" requires an object; "they sat" does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they sat" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "they" is the subject and "sat" is the past tense of the verb "sit". According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they sat" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe a group taking a seated position. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Found predominantly in news and media sources, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts. While alternatives such as "they were seated" or "they took their seats" exist, "they sat" offers a direct and versatile way to convey this simple action. It's crucial to avoid confusing "sit" with "set", ensuring correct usage in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were seated

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of being placed in a seat.

they took their seats

Highlights the action of occupying designated seating.

they remained seated

Emphasizes the continuation of the seated position.

they settled down

Suggests a process of becoming comfortable and calm in a seated position.

they parked themselves

Informal and humorous way of saying they sat down, often implying a lack of elegance.

they plopped down

Suggests sitting down heavily or without care.

they lounged

Implies sitting in a relaxed or lazy manner.

they reclined

Indicates leaning back in a relaxed position.

they perched

Suggests sitting on the edge of something or in an unstable position.

they squatted

Describes a posture where the knees are bent and the body is close to the ground.

FAQs

How can I use "they sat" in a sentence?

You can use "they sat" to describe a group of people taking a seated position, such as "After the performance, "they sat down" to discuss the play" or "They sat in silence, waiting for the news".

What are some alternatives to "they sat"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "they were seated", "they took their seats", or "they settled down".

Is "they sat" formal or informal?

"They sat" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific context of the sentence will determine the overall formality.

What's the difference between "they sat" and "they were sitting"?

"They sat" describes a completed action of sitting down. "They were sitting" describes a continuous state of being seated. For example, "They sat on the bench" implies they took a seat, while "they were sitting on the bench" describes them already in a seated position.