Sat or Sitting?

The continuous (or progressive) verb forms in English are constructed with the present participle (-ing form), not the past participle (-ed form) of the verb.

In your example, sat is an irregular verb, so its past participle does not end in -ed. Nevertheless, sat is indeed its past participle, so cannot be used in this active progressive sent

AnonymousCan anyone tell me why it is not correct English to say "He has been sat on the table all day" as opposed to "He has been sitting at the table all day"

Dear Anonymous,

I have observed that English people may say «was sat» in place of «was sitting». It appears to be a northern English idiom. In my opinion, it is used for humorous effect by sou

I agree that was sat (when not passive) is a colloquial expression and should be avoided in formal situations. It is interesting to note that in Spanish when talking about sitting and other bodily positions it is necessary to use the past participle - the use of the present participle would suggest that you are actually in the process of sitting. Perhaps this thought is behind the use of t

The 'humour' in 'I was sat there' seems to reside in the thought of 'being plonked there', like a small child.

It is annoying when southern folk say it, though. Makes you want to slap a few heads.

MrP

Is it in fact a northern expression? I am sure people in the south (I am from Brighton and you cannnot get any more south than that) use the expression. It may just be though that I have heard it a lot on TV.

That's true. Maybe it just sounds northern.

MrP

0I think the "I was sat" may have originated with a very popular TV commedienne who some years ago would fold her arms and push them under her bosom and commence her next joke with "I was sat sitting..." or "I was stood standing.." which immediately had the audience falling about laughing before she told her joke.0-

0Some tv comedians have certainly milked the phrase. I think Victoria Wood used to say it a lot; and perhaps still does. (Or was that who you were thinking of, Anon?)02br
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00MrP0-

1i00The little boy has been sat at the table by his father and is not permitted to leave it until his plate is clean as a whistle.02i02br
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00 1] Is it correct to say 'has been sat at the table' in any context?02br
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00 2] What is the meaning of the words 'his plate is clean as a whistle' ?02br
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01cite10Rotter12cite11i10The little boy has been sat at the table by his father and is not permitted to leave it until his plate is clean as a whistle.12br
12i101] Is it correct to say 'has been sat at the table' in any context?12blockquote

10Yes, it is correct. It is a (present perfect) pas