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Old 21-Dec-2007, 03:28
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Default Sitting in or on the chair ?

Hi,

The following sentence came up in class recently( While we were practicing the prepositions in and on )

"I am sitting in the chair." -- I thought it should be ' sitting on the chair.'
I am told that "in" can be used if the chair has arms. Is this correct?

Can someone clarify please.

Arun
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Old 21-Dec-2007, 13:06
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

I don't know any "rule" about arms. LOL Either would be understood by native English speakers.
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Old 21-Dec-2007, 13:20
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

The correct one is 'Sitting on the chair'

Ive have never heard of 'Sitting in the chair', I think its wrong.
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Old 21-Dec-2007, 16:40
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by greystroke View Post
Hi,

The following sentence came up in class recently( While we were practicing the prepositions in and on )

"I am sitting in the chair." -- I thought it should be ' sitting on the chair.'
I am told that "in" can be used if the chair has arms. Is this correct?

Can someone clarify please.

Arun
I have also heard of the same rule. Chairs with arms should be "sitting in the chair", and without should be "sitting on the chair".... and invariably, we sit on the stool.
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Old 21-Dec-2007, 19:26
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

If you have an upholstered armchair, you sit in it. If you have an upright wooden armless chair, you sit on it.

If the chair is wooden and has arms, it could be either!
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Old 22-Dec-2007, 03:14
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anglika View Post
If you have an upholstered armchair, you sit in it. If you have an upright wooden armless chair, you sit on it.

If the chair is wooden and has arms, it could be either!
In my neck of the woods, upholstered or not makes no nevermind. If it has arms, then 'in' is used, with no arms, 'on' is used.
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Old 22-Dec-2007, 03:42
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

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Originally Posted by riverkid View Post
In my neck of the woods, upholstered or not makes no nevermind. If it has arms, then 'in' is used, with no arms, 'on' is used.

Yup

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Old 22-Dec-2007, 16:42
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Default Re: Sitting in or on the chair ?

Thanks all,

Arun
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