sit in a chair vs sit on a chair

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Sit in a chair' is used when referring to sitting inside the chair, while 'sit on a chair' is used when referring to sitting on top of the chair.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 948 views

sit in a chair

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to sitting inside the chair.

This phrase is used when someone is sitting inside a chair, implying that they are surrounded by the chair's structure.

Examples:

She likes to sit in a chair by the window and read.
The child was sitting in a chair at the dining table.
I prefer to sit in a chair with good back support.

Show examples from the web [+]

But sometimes, I sit in a chair late at night and quietly feel very bad.
And l will sit in a chair.
I can't sit in a chair reserved for friends and lie to your face anymore.
If I can give another good report to Sister Evangelina, you might be allowed to sit in a chair for a bit this afternoon.
Because when I'm done, you won't be able to get a sit in a chair factory.
You ever sit in a chair before?
There was a very powerful air conditioner, which blew straight down, it was set on maximum cold, and a guy was made to sit in a chair, and had water poured on his head until he literally turned blue.
She had to sit in a chair, pull that chain to nowhere back and douse herself with water!
I go to a coffee bar and I sit in a chair, and I think, "Maybe this is the chair he sat in."
You sit in a fancy chair and eat pastries all day.
Cam once told me that all he wanted was someone to sit in a rocking chair and grow old with.
I remember, in the summer, she used to wear lilac silk... and sit in a rocking chair, fanning herself.
Sometimes, if I sit in a beach chair, eventually, a block party will start.
Get up, throw a donkey off a tower block, sit in a plastic chair by the side of the road, go to bed.
I think you should sit in a lower chair.
Get up, throw a donkey off a tower block, sit in a plastic chair by the side of the road, go to bed.
Even a circus lion learns to sit on a chair in fear of the whip
I need a real teacher, like in all those movies where a white lady sits backwards in a chair and raps Shakespeare, and the class is like, That was Shakespeare?
All you got to do is reach for a telephone, sit back in a big leather chair, and us guys out here have got to take the rap.
IS IT POSSIBLE OR PRACTICAL FOR MANY OF US, IN OUR JOBS AND WITH THE SORT OF BUSY LIVES WE LEAD TO SIT DOWN IN A COMFORTABLE CHAIR JUST WHEN WE WANT?

Alternatives:

sit down in a chair
take a seat in a chair
be seated in a chair
occupy a chair
sit comfortably in a chair

sit on a chair

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to sitting on top of the chair.

This phrase is used when someone is sitting on the surface of a chair, rather than inside it.