when they were seated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they were seated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate the moment or condition under which something occurs after a group has taken their seats. Example: "The conversation began when they were seated at the table." Alternative expressions include "after they were seated" and "once they were seated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He described meeting Ms. Chantecaille for the first time when they were seated together at another dinner party.

The New York Times - Style

The couple met in August 1999, when they were seated next to each other at a wedding reception.

The New York Times - Style

On average, the students thought of between four and six more novel uses for the objects while they were walking than when they were seated.

The New Yorker

The couple met in September 1999 when they were seated next to each other on a flight from Paris to Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The New York Times - Style

The couple were introduced in December 2001 when they were seated together at a dinner party given by mutual friends in Santa Monica, Calif.

The New York Times

Mr. Stiefel and Ms. Palitz first met eight years ago, when they were seated, by chance, at the same table for a Ballet Theater fund-raising dinner.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is a treat just to see the way music courses through their bodies even when they are seated.

The New York Times - Arts

Rowdy bars are often ordered to install more tables and chairs, because people drink more slowly when they are seated.

The Economist

The new poem-plus-art format will appear in advertising squares that are at riders' eye level when they are seated.

The New York Times

One quick take-away (though too much analysis defeats the purpose of this kind of thing): You can see how a candidate with a big lead tends to ignore the opponent even when they are seated next to each other.

University of California, Berkeley

Indeed, Brad Kahn, an environmental consultant in Seattle, said he often communicates with his wife, Erin, by e-mail even when they are seated a few feet apart on the sofa with their laptops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The passive construction "were seated" is often more appropriate than active alternatives in narrative writing when the agent who provided the seats is irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "when they were sat" in formal contexts. While common in some British dialects, it is often viewed as non-standard; "when they were seated" is the preferred choice for professional writing.

Linguistic Context

This phrase serves as a temporal relative clause that provides essential context for the timing of an event. It functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that the main action of the sentence occurred precisely at the point when the subjects occupied their seats. Ludwig examples show it often prefaces dialogue or observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when they were seated" is a versatile and linguistically sound construction frequently employed in professional writing. Evidence from Ludwig AI highlights its common presence in the most respected news outlets, where it serves as a smooth transition between physical positioning and social interaction. It is grammatically correct and offers a higher register than the active "sat down". While it is highly similar to "once they were seated", it remains the most neutral and widely applicable choice for reporting on dinners, meetings and scientific trials. Writers should confidently use it in any context requiring a clear temporal marker for an audience taking their places.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once they were seated

Emphasizes the completion of the seating process as a prerequisite for the next action.

after they were seated

Provides a clear chronological sequence between being seated and subsequent events.

as they were seated

Suggests that the next action occurred simultaneously with the act of sitting down.

when they had been seated

Uses the past perfect to place the seating action further in the past relative to the main verb.

upon being seated

A more formal, concise gerund construction often used in professional or upscale settings.

having been seated

A participial phrase that concisely establishes the state of the subjects.

while they were sitting

Focuses on the continuous state of being in the seat rather than the initial act of sitting.

at the time they sat down

Uses the active voice and is slightly more informal than the passive version.

once seated

An elliptical version of the phrase that is highly efficient and common in literature.

following their seating

A formal noun-based structure that emphasizes the event rather than the subjects.

FAQs

Is "when they were seated" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is the standard passive form of the verb "to seat" used as a temporal clause. Analysis from Ludwig confirms its frequent use in prestigious publications like The New York Times.

What can I say instead of "when they were seated"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "once they were seated" for emphasis on completion, or "upon being seated" for a more formal register.

What is the difference between "when they were seated" and "when they sat down"?

The phrase "when they were seated" uses the passive voice, which sounds more formal or suggests an organized event, whereas "when they sat down" is active and more common in casual conversation.

Can I use "when they were seated" in scientific papers?

Yes, scientific sources found in Ludwig, such as PLOS ONE, use this phrase to describe the physical conditions of test subjects during experiments.