a standing line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a standing line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a line that is currently in place or established, often in contexts like queues or waiting lines. Example: "There was a standing line at the coffee shop this morning, stretching out the door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It became a standing line of family teasing.

The New Yorker

I'm sure there is a standing line of more appreciative teachers hoping to get into one of these posh teaching positions in the La Cañada system.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Wrap the tail over and under the standing line, creating a loop.

WikiHow

Tripoli has a standing fault line between two adjacent neighborhoods, one primarily Sunni Muslim and the other Alawite, the same main factions arrayed against each other in Syria.

The New York Times

In such cases, the Court wrote, affirming a long-standing line of cases, the employer was automatically liable, even when it had a strong anti-harassment policy in place.

The New York Times

Many legal experts agree Ginsburg's public comments crossed a long-standing line that has separated the Supreme Court from partisan electoral politics.

Los Angeles Times

A standing-room line extended from the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium lobby into an adjacent hall.

The New York Times - Arts

PETER J. BOYER: There was a time that'd have been a standing-O line… AMY DAVIDSON: It is a little generic so far.

The New Yorker

Suddenly a man standing in line at a cheese steak stand raised his arm with a flourish and turned to the crowd.

The New York Times - Arts

It takes me 70 seconds to bring up Egghead's home page from a standing start off-line in Windows.

Forbes

A man standing in line next to me, holding the hand of a young boy who was perhaps six years old, remarked loudly, "That Obama.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing queues or waiting situations, ensure that "a standing line" is appropriate and not confused with a moving line or other contexts where "standing" might be ambiguous. Consider using more specific terms like "waiting line" or "queue" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a standing line" to describe situations where the line is actively moving or progressing. This can cause confusion and misrepresent the actual scenario. Use "moving line" or "progressing queue" in those instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a standing line" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically describes a queue or row of people or objects that are in a stationary position. The Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in contexts like waiting in line at a store or event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a standing line" refers to a stationary queue or row, commonly used to describe people waiting in place. While grammatically sound, as affirmed by Ludwig, it's less frequent than alternatives like "waiting line" or "queue". It finds application in News & Media, Wiki and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider the specific context to ensure clarity; in moving queues, "moving line" is more appropriate. The frequency of use is categorized as Rare with sources like The New Yorker and Los Angeles Times employing it. Using more common terms ensures clearer communication, particularly in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a queue of people

Uses the more formal term "queue" for a line of people.

a waiting queue

Replaces "standing" with "waiting" emphasizing the act of waiting in line.

a stationary line

Emphasizes that the line is not moving.

a persistent queue

Highlights the ongoing nature of the line.

a lineup of people

Focuses on the arrangement of people in a line.

an unmoving row

Emphasizes the lack of movement in the line.

a fixed line

Highlights the immobility or established nature of the line.

a continuous line

Focuses on the unbroken or uninterrupted nature of the line.

an established boundary

Shifts the meaning towards a fixed boundary or limit.

a permanent demarcation

Uses more formal language to denote a lasting boundary.

FAQs

What does "a standing line" mean?

The phrase "a standing line" typically refers to a queue or a line of people who are waiting in a stationary position.

What can I say instead of "a standing line"?

You can use alternatives like "a waiting queue", "a lineup of people", or "a queue of people" depending on the context.

Is "a standing line" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a standing line" is grammatically correct, although phrases like "waiting line" or "queue" might be more commonly used and clearer in certain contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "a standing line"?

It's appropriate to use "a standing line" when you want to emphasize that the people in the line are not moving and are waiting in place.