Let's sit down vs Sit down

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Let's sit down

Top 2,000 (common)

Sit down

Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Sit down
 Let's sit downSit down
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɛts sɪt daʊn//🇺🇸 //lɛts sɪt daʊn//🇬🇧 //sɪt daʊn//🇺🇸 //sɪt daʊn//
MeaningLet's find a place to sit and relax.To take a seat.
ExampleAfter a long day, let's sit down and talk about our plans.Please sit down before we start the meeting.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
Collocationslet's sit together, let's sit quietly, let's sit for a momentsit down for a meal, sit down with friends, sit down and talk
Antonymsstand up, move aroundstand up, rise
Common mistakesConfused with 'let's stand up' or 'let's sit up'., Inappropriate use in very formal contexts., Omitting 'down' when intending to sit.Confused with 'set down' which means to place something., Using 'sitted' instead of 'sat' as the past tense.
Usage notesUsed in social situations to suggest taking a seat, often in a friendly manner. Avoid in very formal settings.Use 'sit down' in informal settings. It's polite to ask someone to sit down in a formal dinner party.

See it in real clips

Let's sit down
Sit down

Frequently asked questions: Let's sit down vs Sit down

What's the difference between Let's sit down and Sit down?

Let's sit down: Let's find a place to sit and relax. Sit down: To take a seat.

Which is more common: Let's sit down and Sit down?

Sit down is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Let's sit down: After a long day, let's sit down and talk about our plans. Sit down: Please sit down before we start the meeting.

Can I use Let's sit down and Sit down interchangeably?

Not always. Let's sit down and Sit down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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