be in line to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in line to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is likely to receive something or is in a position to achieve something in the future. Example: "She is in line to become the next CEO of the company after the current one retires."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schilling, who threw just 102 pitches over seven innings of Arizona's Game 1 victory on Saturday, would then be in line to start a potential seventh game.

The New York Times - Sports

Foulke, for instance, could be in line to command a $7 million salary next season.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Zuma is widely presumed to be in line to become the nation's next president.

The New York Times

If Murray opts to chair another committee, Sanders would be in line to get the gavel.

The Washington Post

New moves by Beijing, however, may be in line to shore up the Firewall.

The Washington Post

If Collins can't go, Javorius Allen would be in line to see an uptick in touches.

The Washington Post

This is the birth of a child who will be in line to the throne.

The New York Times

Pettitte would be in line to work a Game 5 on normal rest.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who pioneer its rehabilitation will be in line to help bring in future deals.

The New York Times

Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii, who is 84, would be in line to succeed Mr. Byrd.

The New York Times

Rahman, 33, a two-time champion, had hoped to be in line to fight Klitschko early next year.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in line to" when you want to express that someone or something is likely to receive a particular benefit or achieve a certain position in the future. It's especially useful in professional and news contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be in line to" when you should be using a more direct active voice construction. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in line to" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb, indicating a future expectation or likelihood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from sports to politics, indicating someone's potential future role or achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in line to" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is likely to receive a benefit or achieve a certain position in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "be poised to" exist, "be in line to" offers a distinct nuance of sequential or hierarchical progression. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing anticipation and likelihood in various professional and everyday scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be poised to

Implies readiness and anticipation for something about to happen; suggests a state of balance and preparation.

be set to

Suggests a predetermined arrangement or plan for something to occur, highlighting the planned aspect.

be expected to

Indicates an anticipation or prediction by others, emphasizing expectation rather than inherent likelihood.

stand a good chance of

Expresses the probability of something happening due to favorable circumstances, focusing on the likelihood.

be on track to

Conveys progress towards a goal, highlighting the ongoing movement in a specific direction.

be in contention for

Indicates involvement in a competitive situation where the outcome is not yet certain, focusing on active participation.

have a strong possibility of

Emphasizes the potential for something to occur, focusing on the strength of the probability.

be a likely candidate for

Suggests consideration for a role or position, highlighting suitability and potential selection.

have a high probability of

Stresses the statistical likelihood of an event, focusing on the statistical aspect.

be in the running for

Implies active participation and consideration for a particular opportunity or position, similar to being in contention.

FAQs

How can I use "be in line to" in a sentence?

Use "be in line to" to indicate that someone or something is likely to receive a benefit or achieve a specific outcome. For example, "After the merger, she will "be in line to" become the new CEO".

What are some alternatives to "be in line to"?

Alternatives include "be poised to", "be set to", or "be expected to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be in line to" formal or informal?

"Be in line to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, business reports, and everyday conversations.

What's the difference between "be in line to" and "be likely to"?

"Be in line to" suggests a sequential or hierarchical progression towards something, while "be likely to" simply indicates a high probability without implying a specific order or queue.