sitting on the fence vs sit on the fence

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Sitting on the fence' is the more common form and is used to describe someone who is undecided or neutral in a situation. 'Sit on the fence' is the base form of the expression and can be used in a more general sense.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 1546 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone who is undecided or neutral in a situation.

"sitting on the fence"

This phrase is used to describe someone who is hesitant to take a side in a particular situation or decision.

Examples:

I can't believe he's still sitting on the fence about which college to attend.
She's always sitting on the fence when it comes to making important decisions.
Stop sitting on the fence and make a choice already!

Show examples from the web [+]

Mar 21, 2021 ... I am not able to take a decision, I am unable to conclude whether to join Company A or Company B. So, basically, I am sitting on the fence, such ...
But, he said, most people were sitting on the fence out of fear rather than love for the dictator. · Krettner, although clealy excited, had not altogether lost ...
Sep 12, 2020 ... It is not about stopping your habit of “sitting on the fence,” it is about noticing it and asking, “why does this exist and what is it ...
Apr 7, 2014 ... ... sitting on the fence. For observers sitting on the fence life off it can appear to be an unattractive and even fearful place, a place too ...

Alternatives:

being indecisive
undecided
neutral
on the sidelines
not taking a stand

This phrase is correct and can be used in a more general sense.

"sit on the fence"

This phrase can be used to describe someone who is undecided or neutral in a situation, but it is also more versatile and can be used in other contexts.

Examples:

Don't just sit on the fence, make a decision.
He tends to sit on the fence when it comes to controversial topics.
She's not one to sit on the fence; she always takes a side.
It's easy to sit on the fence and criticize, but it's harder to take action.
I don't want to sit on the fence any longer; I need to choose a path.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is too late to sit on the fence.
This is not the time to sit on the fence.
I must say that, in this context, I agree with Mr Cohn-Bendit that Parliament should take a position - we cannot sit on the fence.
Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative patients sit on the fence before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery.
Any political forces which sit on the fence, thereby giving this obscurantist policy an alibi, also bear serious responsibility for this anti-communist hysteria.
We are proud to be a firm that produces high-quality, free-thinking, innovative advice and ideas, with lawyers who don't sit on the fence and aren't afraid to speak their minds.
Online discussions will open prior to the event on 1 December 2016 and will continue through May 2017. To sit on the fence When you sit on the fence, you don't want to choose a side or make a decision.
The latter is using vaccination but with regard to the UK, on which everyone is focussing, and which has major problems, you come here, Commissioner, and sit on the fence.
Still there is no resolution of the problem at European Union level, still the Commission sits on the fence and speaks about the complexity of the issue.
The phrase implies that the one who sits on the fence is doing so for a reason.
We did not sit passively on the fence, muttering under our breath, but took a pro-active approach in tabling amendments.
Those who sit on the picket fence are impaled by it.
As far as police violence is concerned, the only thing the report has to say is that a disproportionate use of force should be avoided and it sits firmly on the fence as regards the conduct of the demonstrators and that of the police forces.
As I said before, Mr Nogueira, a person may choose which side of the fence to sit on, but he later cannot seek futile excuses to justify his decision.
I know how to sit on a fence.
Then we'd sit on my back fence and spark.
It sits on a fence and does not come off that fence.
You know, you sit on a fence long enough and you're liable to fall off.
What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?
Just British diplomacy, never climb a fence if you can sit on it.

Alternatives:

be indecisive
remain neutral
not take a side
stay on the sidelines
hesitate

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sitting on the fence vs sit on the fence