One over the other when speaking and writing

Question

With regards to both conjugations, is one more common than the other when speaking and the same when writing. I think a French friend of mine said once that one is more common over the other when writing.

Also, should I learn both ways or just the one that I find easier?

Thank you

Accepted Answer

Hi Martin, 
I think it's a matter of preference, just learn the one that you feel most comfortable with. 
I would use -
je m'assois rather than je m'assieds 
but 
asseyons-nous ! = Let's sit down
assieds-toi ! = sit down!
I think what the French use follows this mixed pattern.
Funnily enough, I was watching my favourite French series, (Engrenages/Spiral) the other evening, and I am sure I heard a character ( who is a barrister) saying 'assis-toi !' to a friend. It is grammatically incorrect  but accepted (and comes from the past participle  'assis') in everyday speech.
J'espère que je ne vous ai pas enbrouillé les pédales !  ( I hope I haven't muddled you up)

Answer

Hi Martin,You are correct that there are two conjugations for the verb Asseoir but as to which is preferable and under what circumstances is probably best left for Cécile to comment on in due course. Don't want to comment as a Anglophile,  might mislead you!!Jim

Answer

The French native speaker I frequently converse with (from Paris) says that she uses one form (je m'assieds, etc.) in the singular and the other (nous nous assoyons) in the plural. But I think the preferential use is mostly regional.

Answer

Thank you for your replies. I did think about choosing one and just sticking with that (s'assoir), but as soon as I did, the first question asked in the mini-quiz was using 's'asseoir'!

Anyway, I will try and learn the two.