What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sitting
Example
I am sitting on the couch watching TV. [sitting: present participle]
Example
She sat in the waiting room for hours. [sat: past tense]
perched
Example
The eagle perched on the tree branch, scanning the area for prey. [perched: verb]
Example
He was perched on the edge of the cliff, enjoying the view. [perched: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sitting is a more commonly used term than perched in everyday language. Sitting is a general term that covers a wide range of contexts, while perched is less common and typically used to describe birds or animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sitting and perched?
Both sitting and perched are neutral terms that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.