"I was sitting in a chair." vs "I was sitting on a chair."

Question

"I was sitting in a chair." vs "I was sitting on a chair."

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'I was sitting in a chair' implies that you were physically inside the chair, which is not the intended meaning. 'I was sitting on a chair' is the correct phrase to use, as it means you were seated on top of the chair.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is not commonly used in English. To express that you were seated on top of a chair, it is better to use 'I was sitting on a chair.'

Alternatives:

I was sitting on a chair.

Use this phrase to indicate that you were seated on top of a chair. It is the appropriate way to convey this idea.

Alternatives:

I was seated on a chair.
I sat on a chair.
I was perched on a chair.
I was occupying a chair.

Answer 1

I was sitting in a chair.

This phrase is not correct because it implies being physically inside the chair, which is not the intended meaning.

Answer 2

I was sitting on a chair.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express that you were seated on top of a chair.

"I was sitting in a chair." vs "I was sitting on a chair."

I was sitting in a chair.

I was sitting on a chair.

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