sit
A1Neutral (used in all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
To rest with the body supported by the buttocks and thighs, typically on a chair or other surface.
To be in a particular position or state; to occupy a seat; to serve as a member of a committee or official body; (of an animal) to rest with hind legs bent and body close to the ground; (of clothing) to fit in a particular way.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'sit' is a basic posture verb. It can be used transitively ('sit the child on the chair') or intransitively ('I sat down'). It forms many phrasal verbs (sit down, sit up, sit in, sit through).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in prepositional use (e.g., 'sit an exam' is more common in UK English, while 'take an exam' is more common in US English). The phrase 'sit in for someone' is used in both, but 'sit on a committee' is slightly more formal in US usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'to sit' can imply passivity or inaction ('just sitting around'). 'To sit for a portrait' is formal in both.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with no significant difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SIT (intransitive)SIT + ADV/PREP (sit down, sit on something)SIT + ADJ (sit still, sit quiet)SIT + NP (transitive: sit a child, sit an exam)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sit tight”
- “sit on the fence”
- “sit pretty”
- “sit in for someone”
- “sit on your hands”
- “sit well with someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To attend or participate in a meeting. 'She will sit on the board of directors.'
Academic
To take a formal examination. 'The students will sit their finals in June.'
Everyday
The most common use: to rest on a chair. 'I like to sit in the garden with a book.'
Technical
In computing: a server sits on a network. In heraldry: a description of an animal's posture.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please sit down.
- He's sitting his driving test next week.
- The committee sits on Fridays.
American English
- Have a seat and sit here.
- She sat through the entire lecture.
- The jacket sits well on the shoulders.
adjective
British English
- A sit-down protest blocked the road.
- We had a sit-down meal for twenty.
American English
- It's a sit-down restaurant, not fast food.
- The senator requested a sit-down interview.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children sit on the floor.
- My cat likes to sit in the sun.
- Sit next to me, please.
- You can't just sit and wait for opportunities to come.
- The court will sit again in the autumn.
- This dress doesn't sit right on me.
- The new regulations didn't sit well with the industry leaders.
- She was asked to sit in for the manager while he was away.
- The house sits on a hill overlooking the valley.
- The artist asked her to sit for a portrait.
- He sits on several charitable boards.
- The decision sits uneasily with the company's ethical policy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a kitten SITting Still. The word 'SIT' is short and simple, just like the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
SITTING IS BEING INACTIVE/PASSIVE ('Don't just sit there, do something!'); SITTING IS BEING IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY ('The court sits tomorrow').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сидеть' in all contexts. English 'sit' is more specific to the posture on buttocks. Russian 'сидеть' can mean 'to be in prison' or 'to fit (clothes)', which are separate metaphors in English.
- Avoid direct translation of 'сидеть на диете' as 'sit on a diet'. Use 'be on a diet'.
- The transitive use 'to sit a child' is possible, but 'to seat a child' is more common.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'sitted' instead of 'sat'.
- Overusing 'sit' for 'stay' or 'live' (e.g., 'I sit in London' is wrong).
- Confusing 'sit' with 'seat' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'sit' is most likely to be found in a formal British context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sit' is usually intransitive (I sit down). 'Seat' is transitive and means to provide a seat or cause to sit (Please seat the guests. The hall seats 500 people).
No. The correct past tense and past participle of 'sit' is 'sat' (I sat, I have sat). 'Sitted' is a common learner error.
Yes, metaphorically. A building can 'sit on a hill'. A theory can 'sit uneasily with' the facts. Clothing can 'sit well' or 'badly' on someone.
It means to stay where you are, be patient, and take no action until the right moment. 'Just sit tight while I check the schedule.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.