a queue of people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a queue of people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line or sequence of individuals waiting for something, such as service or entry to a venue. Example: "There was a long queue of people waiting to enter the concert hall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

No waiting in a queue of people, it was great.

The Guardian - Business

We saw a queue of people outside an old hospital.

The Guardian - Money

At 8pm, a queue of people are standing in the street.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's actually a queue of people who want to get in as well".

The Guardian - Money

The loser will have a queue of people ready to identify his catalogue of errors.

The Guardian - Sport

They woke up one morning to a queue of people in their street clutching newspapers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Really George if you don't want the job, you'll find there is a queue of ELECTED people prepared to make the decisions people want.

BBC

Across the road, a queue of 27 people had formed at the National Bank's ATM.

The Guardian

"David Cameron is doing a terrific job and there's a queue of several people beyond him," he told the paper in a wide-ranging interview.

Independent

But furious guests tweeted pictures of a queue of 300 people being made to wait for up to two hours outside.

Independent

True to the Colonel's word, at 1015 the first patients arrived and by 1100 we had a queue of 20 people.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a waiting line, consider the context. Use "a queue of people" if the line is orderly. Use "a crowd of people" if it's more disorganized.

Common error

Be mindful of regional differences. While "queue" is common in British English, "line" is more prevalent in American English. Using "queue" in an American context might sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a queue of people" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific arrangement of individuals waiting in a line. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Lifestyle

11%

Less common in

Sport

0%

Travel

0%

TV & Radio

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a queue of people" is a correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a line of individuals waiting for something. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English and commonly found in news reports. While interchangeable with "a line of people", remember that "queue" is more common in British English. Pay attention to context and audience when choosing a substitute, such as "a crowd of people" to indicate a less orderly group. Consider cultural differences and avoid using "queue" in an American context if you want to sound natural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a line of people

Replaces "queue" with "line", a more common term in American English.

a row of people

Suggests a more organized and structured line.

a string of people

Implies people are connected or following each other.

a group of people waiting

Focuses on the act of waiting rather than the line formation.

a crowd of people waiting

Suggests a less organized and more dense gathering.

a gathering of people in line

Emphasizes the purpose of being in a line for a gathering.

a file of people

Implies people are walking in a single line.

a procession of people

Indicates a formal or ceremonial line of people.

a stream of people

Suggests a continuous flow of people in a line.

a succession of people

Highlights that people follow one after another in a line.

FAQs

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

While both phrases refer to people waiting in order, "a queue of people" is more common in British English, while "a line of people" is more common in American English. They are largely interchangeable, but consider your audience. Using "a line of people" in American English will likely sound more natural.

What can I say instead of "a queue of people" to emphasize a disorganized group?

If you want to emphasize that the group is not orderly, you can use alternatives such as "a crowd of people" or "a group of people waiting" depending on the context.

How can I use "a queue of people" in a sentence?

You can use "a queue of people" to describe a waiting line, for example: "There was a queue of people outside the bakery this morning."

Is it correct to say "a queue of person" instead of "a queue of people"?

No, it is incorrect. "People" is the plural form of "person", and "queue" refers to a group, so you should always use "a queue of people". "A queue of persons" is also technically correct but sounds very formal and outdated.