Is this seat free vs Is anybody sitting here

[Winwin2011]

1. Is this seat free?
2. Is anybody sitting here?

Which of the above sentences is more commly used by native speakers?

Thanks.

 

[Raymott]

1. Is this seat free?
2. Is anybody sitting here?

Which of the above sentences is more commly used by native speakers?

Thanks.

Probably the second - maybe. They're both OK.

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd say 'Is this anybody's seat?'

'Is this seat free?' is good, but 'Is anybody sitting here?' is a daft question when they clearly aren't.

 

[5jj]

'Is anybody sitting here?' is a daft question when they clearly aren't.

I agree that it doesn't stand up to logical analysis, but people say it.

Actually, it's not even that illogical when we recall that the present progressive can be used for something that is going on in the limited present, though not necessarily at the present moment.

 

[emsr2d2]

Even though I use "Is anyone sitting here?", depending on the situation I have a response which, in my opinion at least, is quite amusing. If someone asks me the question, I sometimes say either "Yes, my invisible friend" or (in a hushed and slightly high-pitched voice) "Yes, a teeny tiny micro-person!"

Sometimes I question my own sanity. ;-)