"He sat thinking" vs "sat thinking for some time"

Question

"He sat thinking" vs "sat thinking for some time"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "He sat thinking" is a concise way to describe someone thinking while sitting, while "sat thinking for some time" emphasizes the duration of the thinking process. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: March 12, 2024

This phrase is a concise way to describe someone engaging in thought while in a seated position.

Examples:

He sat thinking about his next move.
She sat thinking deeply about the problem.
They sat thinking quietly in the park.

Alternatives:

He was sitting and thinking.
He pondered while seated.
He remained seated, lost in thought.

This phrase is used to highlight that someone spent a considerable amount of time engaged in thought while sitting.

Examples:

She sat thinking for some time before making a decision.
He sat thinking for some time, lost in contemplation.
They sat thinking for some time, reflecting on the past.

Alternatives:

He spent a while thinking while seated.
She pondered for a period of time.
They remained seated, lost in thought for a while.

Answer 1

He sat thinking

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe someone thinking while sitting.

Answer 2

sat thinking for some time

This phrase is correct and emphasizes the duration of the thinking process.

"He sat thinking" vs "sat thinking for some time"

He sat thinking

sat thinking for some time

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