a line of fans

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a line of fans" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a queue or a group of fans waiting for something, such as an event or a concert. Example: "As the concert was about to start, a line of fans stretched around the block, eagerly waiting to enter the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A line of fans formed, wanting to exchange business cards.

The New Yorker

It's a small club, and a line of fans had formed several hours before the doors opened.

The New Yorker

Flacco raved about the beignets, but then found himself channeling a mall Santa, with a line of fans bearing cameras.

The New York Times - Sports

When he's at work, perched behind the cash register at the Record Mart in the Times Square subway station, Mr. Sepulveda attracts a line of fans.

The New York Times - Arts

apparel for more than seven decades, turned the keys on the front door, a line of fans eager to claim a piece of history snaked down the block.

The Washington Post

And behind the west stand, a line of fans clamber up, hanging from the corrugated metal barriers to peer into the stadium below.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I'm looking out my window now, and there isn't even a line of crazed fans out on the sidewalk, desperately trying to catch a casual glimpse of me as I work.

The New Yorker

It was for Ennis-Hill that a line of patient fans waited behind barriers, hoping their Olympic gold medallist heroine would reappear even an hour after the event had finished.

BBC

A long line of fans snaked past its rustic vegetarian baguettes with Andante goat cheese, awaiting striped boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

The New York Times

"Domestic violence can be a problem with athletes," said Mr. Barber, who was busy signing autographs on Giants hats and posters for a long line of fans.

The New York Times

An hour later, there was still a long line of fans waiting outside his dressing room for him to come out and say hello.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical arrangement of fans, use "a line of fans" to clearly convey the image of people standing or waiting in a sequence. It's useful for describing events, concerts, or autograph sessions.

Common error

Avoid using "a line of fans" when referring to online engagement or social media following. In these contexts, use phrases like "a large following" or "a dedicated fanbase" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a line of fans" is as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a group of people (fans) arranged in a specific formation (line). This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a line of fans" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that effectively depicts a group of fans arranged in a queue or sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing real-world scenarios, particularly in the context of news and media. While its register is neutral, be mindful of its connotation of physical arrangement and avoid using it when referring to abstract or online fan bases. Consider alternatives like "a queue of admirers" or "a throng of enthusiasts" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a queue of admirers

Replaces "fans" with a synonym, "admirers", and "line" with "queue", emphasizing the waiting aspect.

a row of supporters

Substitutes "line" with "row", indicating a more structured arrangement, and "fans" with "supporters", focusing on allegiance.

a throng of enthusiasts

Replaces "line" with "throng", suggesting a more crowded and less ordered gathering, and "fans" with "enthusiasts", highlighting passion.

a gathering of followers

Changes "line" to "gathering", indicating a general assembly, and "fans" to "followers", emphasizing a more dedicated group.

a stream of devotees

Replaces "line" with "stream", suggesting a continuous flow, and "fans" with "devotees", highlighting intense loyalty.

a cluster of admirers

Substitutes "line" with "cluster", implying a close grouping of admirers.

a group of enthusiasts

Replaces "line" with "group", indicating a general collection of enthusiasts.

a crowd of supporters

Substitutes "line" with "crowd", implying a large and potentially less organized gathering of supporters.

a host of followers

Changes "line" to "host", suggesting a large number of followers.

a gathering of the fanbase

Replaces "a line of fans" with a more direct reference to the collective fanbase assembled.

FAQs

How can I use "a line of fans" in a sentence?

You can use "a line of fans" to describe a queue of people waiting for an event or celebrity, such as, "A line of fans formed outside the venue hours before the concert."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "a line of fans"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a queue of admirers" or "a row of supporters" to add more detail to the image.

Is it appropriate to use "a line of fans" in formal writing?

Yes, "a line of fans" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports or articles, as it's a clear and widely understood phrase. However, in extremely formal contexts, consider using "a gathering of followers" for more emphasis.

What's the difference between "a line of fans" and "a crowd of fans"?

"A line of fans" suggests an organized queue, while "a crowd of fans" implies a less structured and potentially chaotic gathering.