cue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cue" is a correct and usable word in written English.
Generally, cue is used as a verb meaning to prompt or signal someone to do something. For example, "The director cued the actors to begin the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Diana, Princess of Wales, was an early advocate of the adoption of eastern costume, taking her cue from her close friend Jemima Goldsmith, who had more valid reasons to wear the shalwar kameez when she married Imran Khan, the former Pakistan cricket captain turned politician, and converted to Islam.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By now a coalition choreography has emerged, whereby Lib Dem ministers protest in public (they must do so more often in private), their backbenchers take their cue – as do rightwing Tory MPs and activists who think Cameron is a soggy pinko – and battle is engaged.

The Guardian

It's become easy to dismiss Latham, and on cue, his statement that "the best way of minimising domestic violence is to minimise poverty" was was rightly howled down as simplistic, but also because it doesn't fit the acceptable narrative around this crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, right on cue, here's that parade of male toplessness.

The Guardian - Film

The 10-year-old I was playing with looked slightly surprised when I took the cue away from him!" There is polite laughter.

The Guardian

Cue details about how the founders are now paper billionaires, the employees are sitting on options that will make some of them millionaires, and the entire San Francisco HQ celebrated with an "overflowing tower of doughnuts" (tick, tick, tick).

The Guardian - Opinion

If you take your cue from Obama's words, then the answer may be yes.

The Guardian

Marseille enjoyed the limelight when it was crowned European Capital of Culture 2013 – cue the largest urban renewal project in southern Europe with a budget of €7bn, including a facelift for the Vieux-Port.

The Guardian - Travel

Cue the usual negativity from the peanut gallery about money from these charities not landing in the right hands, celebrities and their egomaniacal behaviour, and the old faithful argument that these public figures would be better to donate from their private bank accounts without broadcasting their philanthropic ways to the world.

The Guardian - Music

But let us take a cue from the Republican Party and employ a quote they run out whenever arguing that they don't dislike minorities for being minorities but just coincidentally dislike almost all of them on their merits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cue a century from Craig Meschede at No8 and another 221 runs added to turn the game towards the Welsh county, who were able to enforce the follow-on and cruise to a ten wickets win.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cue" to indicate a clear signal or prompt for an action or event. Ensure the context makes the intended meaning clear, especially when used as a verb.

Common error

Avoid using "cue" when a more nuanced term like "hint" or "suggestion" is more appropriate. "Cue" implies a direct and often prearranged signal, whereas other terms allow for more ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cue" is to act as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it signifies a signal or prompt for action. As a verb, it means to give a signal or prompt. Ludwig AI confirms this versatility through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cue" functions effectively as both a noun and a verb, serving as a signal or prompt for action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility through numerous examples extracted from reputable sources. While its usage spans various contexts, it's most frequently encountered in news, media, business, and sports domains. Therefore, when employing "cue", ensure the context clarifies its intended meaning as either a signal or the act of signaling, bearing in mind that alternatives such as "signal", "prompt", or "trigger" may provide a more precise nuance depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signal

Focuses on the action of providing a sign or indication for something to happen.

prompt

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or reminding someone to do something.

trigger

Highlights the initiation or activation of a process or event.

indication

Refers to a sign that points to a particular fact or state of affairs.

hint

Implies a subtle or indirect suggestion.

clue

Denotes a piece of evidence that helps to solve a problem or mystery.

reminder

Focuses on something that causes one to remember something.

green light

Indicates permission or approval to proceed.

go-ahead

Signifies formal permission to start or continue with something.

sign

Refers to an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "cue" in a sentence?

You can use "cue" to mean a signal for someone to do something, as in, "The stage manager gave the actor his "cue"." It can also be used as a verb, meaning to give someone a signal, as in, "Cue the music!"

What's the difference between "cue" and "clue"?

"Cue" refers to a signal or prompt, especially in performing arts or planned events. "Clue", on the other hand, is a piece of evidence that helps solve a mystery or problem. Although sometimes used interchangeably in informal settings, they have distinct meanings.

What can I say instead of "cue"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "signal", "prompt", or "trigger". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "cue" in a formal context?

Yes, "cue" is appropriate in formal contexts when referring to a signal or prompt. For example, in a business meeting, you might say, "That's my "cue" to wrap up the presentation."