a long line

USAGE SUMMARY

"a long line" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a physical line of people, or any other type of line that is particularly long. For example, you could say, "We had to stand in a long line to buy tickets to the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It could be a long line.

The New York Times

Moving ahead in a long line?

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was a long line".

The New York Times - Tech

"That's why there's such a long line".

The New York Times

A long line of depressed people".

The Guardian - Film

So there won't be a long line.

The New York Times

Glencore would merely be the latest in a long line.

The New York Times

The captain came from a long line of captains.

The New Yorker

Baccarin's baby will come from a long line of theatricals.

Independent

Mallory came from a long line of clergymen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We stand in the rain in a long line.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify what constitutes the "long line". For example, "a long line of cars" or "a long line of applicants".

Common error

Avoid using "a long line" when describing abstract concepts or processes where a sequential series is implied but not physically represented. Instead, opt for terms like "a lengthy process" or "a protracted series of events".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long line" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an extended linear arrangement of people or objects, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "We stand in the rain in a long line" or "There was a long line and nobody was being served."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long line" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an extended linear arrangement of people or objects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in written English and frequently found in news and media sources. While maintaining a generally neutral formality, its context can range from depicting queues to describing familial lineages. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "lengthy queue" or "protracted series", but be mindful of contextual appropriateness. When writing, remember to specify the subject constituting the "long line" for clarity and avoid its use in abstract scenarios where a physical line is not implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive queue

Replaces "line" with "queue", emphasizing the waiting aspect; "extensive" highlights the length.

lengthy row

Substitutes "line" with "row", often used for objects or people arranged side-by-side; "lengthy" indicates the considerable extent.

protracted series

Replaces physical arrangement with sequential occurrence; "protracted" suggests duration and extent.

considerable file

Uses "file" to imply a line of documents or data; "considerable" denotes the significant size or amount.

never-ending succession

Emphasizes the continuous and seemingly limitless nature of the line or series.

endless chain

Highlights the interconnectedness of elements in the line, suggesting no clear beginning or end.

substantial sequence

Focuses on the ordered arrangement and notable size of the line or series.

large progression

Suggests movement or development in a line, indicating a significant number of steps or stages.

extended formation

Implies a structured arrangement spread out over a considerable distance.

continuous stream

Focuses on the flowing, uninterrupted nature of the line, often used for fluids or people moving together.

FAQs

How can I use "a long line" in a sentence?

You can use "a long line" to describe a queue of people waiting, such as "There was "a long line" outside the movie theater". It can also describe a lineage, such as "He comes from "a long line" of doctors".

What can I say instead of "a long line" when describing a queue?

Alternatives include "lengthy queue", "extensive wait", or "considerable wait", depending on whether you want to emphasize the physical queue or the waiting time.

Is it correct to say "a long line of succession"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "a long line of succession" is a common way to describe a series of people or things that follow one after another.

What's the difference between "a long line" and "a long queue"?

While both phrases refer to people waiting, ""a long line"" is a more general term, whereas "a long queue" specifically refers to a waiting line. The terms can often be used interchangeably.