sit
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to be in a position where your bottom is on a chair or the floor and your back is upright.
v.to rest with the torso upright and the body's weight supported by the buttocks and thighs.
Simple“We sat on the park bench for an hour and watched the birds.”
In context“The elderly gentleman preferred to sit in the armchair by the window, where the light was best for reading his morning newspaper.”
PitfallHe is sitting on the table. He is sitting at the table.Use 'at the table' if you are eating or working; 'on the table' means you are physically on top of the furniture.
- 02 A1 Beginner
v.to move your body from standing to a sitting position.
v.to transition from a standing to a seated posture. Often used with the particle 'down'.
Simple“Please sit down and make yourself comfortable while I get some tea.”
In context“The audience was requested to sit once the national anthem had concluded and the guest of honour had reached the podium.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to be in a particular place or position.
v.to occupy a specific location or position; often used of inanimate objects to describe their placement.
Simple“The old house sits on top of a hill overlooking the sea.”
In context“The dusty trophies continued to sit on the mantelpiece, serving as a silent reminder of the school's former athletic glory.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.when a group of people like a court or parliament has an official meeting.
v.to be in session or to perform official duties in a deliberative or judicial capacity.
Simple“Parliament will sit next week to discuss the new education laws.”
In context“The High Court is scheduled to sit in the capital this month to hear the landmark environmental appeal.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
v.to take a test or an exam.
v.to undergo or complete a formal examination. Transitive in this sense.
Simple“I have to sit my final driving test tomorrow morning.”
In context“Medical students are required to sit a series of rigorous practical assessments before they can qualify for their clinical rotations.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
- 07 C1 Advanced
v.to be accepted or liked by someone.
v.to be perceived or accepted in a specific way; usually used with 'well' or 'badly'.
Simple“His rude comment didn't sit well with the rest of the team.”
In context“The board's decision to reduce the annual bonus did not sit well with the senior staff, leading to a formal grievance.”
- 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a period of time spent sitting down.
n.a period of time during which one remains seated, often for a specific purpose like a meal or a portrait.
Simple“I managed to finish the whole book in one sit.”
In context“The artist requested a second sit to finalise the details of the subject's expression under the studio lights.”
sit vs set — Sit is an intransitive action where a person rests their weight, while set is a transitive action where someone places an object somewhere.
Usage sits quietly · sit back