at the front of the queue

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the front of the queue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a person's position in a line or queue. For example, "John was at the front of the queue when the store opened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are at the front of the queue".

The Guardian - Opinion

"The government remains committed to putting New Zealanders at the front of the queue for shares".

The New York Times

There were people at the front of the queue who had only turned up that morning.

The Guardian

The woman at the front of the queue wants to pay with a £20 note.

The Guardian - Tech

And now it's finally at the front of the queue, the party is winding down.

The Guardian

At the front of the queue were Russia's largest oil and gas companies, including the state-controlled Gazprom and Rosneft.

The Economist

Disabled children the deserving claimants at the front of the queue, Jobseekers the scum pushed to the back.

The Guardian

A fixed charge puts a lender at the front of the queue of creditors should a borrower go bust.

The Economist

Put it this way, I wasn't at the front of the queue rushing to the cook's aid.

The Guardian - Travel

Whichever way you slice it, even forgetting Rock Around the Clock, he was at the front of the queue.

The Guardian - Music

The man at the front of the queue is Mo Pour, 46, an IT contractor at Standard Chartered bank.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency by using "queue" when referring to a waiting line, particularly in British English. When writing for an American audience, consider using "at the front of the line" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the front of the queue" in situations where a competitive element is more strongly implied. In such cases, phrases like "in the lead" or "ahead of the pack" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the front of the queue" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically describes the position of someone or something in a sequence, indicating they are first or have priority. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the front of the queue" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate priority or a leading position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and business. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context when choosing this phrase, as alternatives like "in the lead" may be more appropriate in competitive situations. Remembering that "queue" is more common in British English and "line" is more common in American English, is also important to make sure the context is well understood by the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the head of the line

Directly synonymous, replacing "queue" with "line".

first in line

A simpler, more direct way of saying the same thing.

leading the way

Highlights the act of guiding or directing others, often by being first.

in the lead

Indicates being ahead of others, typically in a competition or race.

taking precedence

Highlights the act of being given priority or preference.

ahead of the pack

Emphasizes being in a superior position compared to competitors.

in the vanguard

Suggests being at the forefront of a movement or trend.

in the forefront

Implies being in a prominent or noticeable position.

in the pole position

Borrowed from racing, indicating the most advantageous starting point.

in the driver's seat

Figuratively means being in control or having the most influence.

FAQs

How can I use "at the front of the queue" in a sentence?

You can use "at the front of the queue" to describe someone or something that is in a leading position or has priority. For example, "Because of her seniority, she was "at the front of the queue" for promotions".

What is a synonym for "at the front of the queue"?

Synonyms for "at the front of the queue" include "first in line", "in the lead", or "leading the way". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "at the front of the queue" or "at the head of the line"?

"At the front of the queue" and "at the head of the line" are mostly interchangeable. "Queue" is more common in British English, while "line" is more common in American English. So it depends on your audience.

What does it mean to be "at the front of the queue" figuratively?

Figuratively, being "at the front of the queue" means having priority or being in a position to receive benefits or opportunities before others. It implies an advantage or privileged status.