was sitting on the fence vs sat on the fence

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Was sitting on the fence' is used to describe a continuous or ongoing action in the past, while 'sat on the fence' is used to describe a specific action in the past. The choice between them depends on whether you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the action or just the action itself.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 953 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a continuous or ongoing action in the past.

"was sitting on the fence"

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that someone was indecisive or neutral over a period of time in the past.

Examples:

During the debate, he was sitting on the fence and couldn't make up his mind.
She was sitting on the fence about which college to attend.

Show examples from the web [+]

Golden Bamboo Vietnamese song playing is Roi_mai_toi_dua_em_Truong. Combat GI He was Sitting on the Fence combat grunt ...
I was sitting on the fence. And I thought that I would kiss you. I never thought I would've missed you. But you never let me fall. Push my back against the wall
Sep 21, 2008 ... I was sitting on the fence. And I thought that I would kiss you. I never thought I would've missed you. But you never let me fall. Push my back ...
Dec 16, 2012 ... Sitting on the fence? I definitely did not get the impression that John L. was sitting on the fence in either letter, but especially not the second one ...

Alternatives:

was undecided
was neutral
was indecisive
was on the fence
was wavering

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a specific action of being indecisive or neutral in the past.

"sat on the fence"

This phrase is used when you want to describe a specific instance of someone being indecisive or neutral in the past.

Examples:

He sat on the fence for weeks before finally making a decision.
She sat on the fence during the whole discussion.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 20, 2015 ... He just sat on the fence so as not to lose votes from either side. You can't sit on the fence any longer – you must choose whose side you are on.
Angela was neither for nor against it, and sat on the fence about it, instead trying to calm her friends down. The politician, when questioned on abortion, sat on ...
sit on the fence (third-person singular simple present sits on the fence, present participle sitting on the fence, simple past and past participle sat on the fence).
... like so many others. He comes right out and tells the reader what he ... 20) The politician sat on the fence and would not give his opinion about the tax issue.

Alternatives:

was undecided for a moment
was neutral for a while
was indecisive at that time
was on the fence briefly
was wavering for a short period

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was sitting on the fence vs sat on the fence