Phrasal verb
sit in
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
sit in
Past
sat in
Past participle
sat in
Definition
phrasal verb. to attend a meeting, class, or activity just to watch and listen without taking part. You might do this to learn how something works or to see if you like a course.
phrasal verb. to attend a session as an observer rather than a participant. The verb is intransitive when used with the preposition 'on' to introduce the activity, or it can function as a discrete unit in specific protest contexts.
Examples
“The new teacher will sit in on our lesson today.”
“My manager asked if I could sit in on the negotiation to take notes for the team.”
“Prospective doctoral candidates are often encouraged to sit in on graduate seminars to gauge the department's intellectual climate before applying.”
Examples
simple
“The new teacher will sit in on our lesson today.”
contextual
“My manager asked if I could sit in on the negotiation to take notes for the team.”
complex
“Prospective doctoral candidates are often encouraged to sit in on graduate seminars to gauge the department's intellectual climate before applying.”
Usage
usually followed by the preposition 'on' when an object is present.
Teaching tip
distinguish between the observational sense (sit in on) and the political sense (a sit-in protest); for the observational sense, emphasize that the person is a 'silent' guest.
Pitfall
I sat in the meeting to learn.
I sat in on the meeting to learn.
the phrasal verb requires the preposition 'on' to connect to the specific event being observed.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
sit + in (+ on + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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