Is it grammatically correct to say "I was sat there" when meaning "I
was sitting there" or "I sat there" ?

Hello lynne1986,

The language authorities cited in the first three resources below do
not accept "I was sat there" (in the sense of "I was sitting there" or
"I sat there") as grammatical.  It is apparent from these and the
other resources I've cited that this construction is fairly common in
Britain.

"Grammar: Q: Is it wrong to say 'I was sat there...'? You hear it a lot."
WordAdvisory.com [derived from "Encarta Webster's Dictionary," 2004]
http://www.wordadvisory.com/wordqueries.asp?id=3

"Better Writing: Classic Errors and Helpful Hints: Grammar and
Spelling Tips: Sitting and Standing"
AskOxford
http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/classicerrors/grammartips/sittingandstanding?view=uk

"Online Style Guide - S" [under "sat"]
Times Online
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2941-579,00.html

"Our English Language" [Peter Slade on Language] [fifth paragraph]
English Teaching in the United Kingdom
http://www.english1.org.uk/pslade6.htm

Online discussion, "General English grammar questions (EFL / ESL): Sat
or Sitting?" (started 02-09-2005)
Englishforums.com
http://www.englishforums.com/English/SatOrSitting/bkbnw/Post.htm

Online discussion, "Re: Word Definitions" [scroll down to second post
by howard (June 04, 2004)]
UK-Yankee.com
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=c164a3f3ac2959d357d8459be79e49ec&topic=4899.msg48918

- justaskscott


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"was sat there" grammar
"was sat" grammar

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Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 22 Sep 2005 10:15 PDT

I meant to add the conclusion that "common," in this case, does not
equal "correct" according to standard grammar authorities.  If "I was
sat there" remains common, perhaps these authorities will approve of
it eventually.