first queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first queue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the initial line or sequence of people or items waiting for something. For example, "I was at the first queue for the concert tickets." Alternative expressions include "initial queue" and "primary queue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The first queue is where the money lies.

Independent

None of those in the first queue survived.

The Guardian

Later, an hour or so into the first queue of the evening, an attendant appeared with a freshly unearthed batch.

The Economist

When Cable reveals that "Within a week or so of becoming an MP, I had my first queue at a constituency surgery", he does not add a great deal to the sum of human understanding.

The Guardian - Books

He added, "I expected — just based on training, based on the power I saw in training, based on how I felt after five hours of training — to be in the first queue on the climbs, which, I guess, I can say I was able to do".

The New York Times - Sports

The shop round the corner where I used to buy raw herring (I did say I was hardcore) had gone upmarket and was no longer called 'Fish Shop', but it still boasted a commendable triple transaction system (first queue to view item... now queue to purchase item... then queue to retrieve item).

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Sue Churcher Theatregoing wasn't part of my family background, so I first queued for front-row seats as a student in the early 80s.

The Guardian

The first queuing system models the CRQ subsystem and the second represents the DTQ subsystem.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Specifically, we model a router with two interfaces as two finite queueing systems in tandem with the first queueing system being a two-stage service and the second queueing system being a single-stage service.

Computer Communications

The first queuing system models the collision resolution subsystem and the second represents the data transmission subsystem.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Those in the second queue are likely to receive the phone just a few hours after those at the front.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first queue" to clearly indicate the initial line or order of people waiting, especially when multiple queues exist.

Common error

Avoid using "first queue" when referring to a general line without any subsequent queues. In such cases, simply use "queue" or "line".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first queue" primarily functions as a noun phrase identifying the initial line or waiting sequence in a given context. Ludwig examples show it specifying the first of multiple queues, or the beginning of a process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

50%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first queue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the initial line or waiting sequence, as verified by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use it when there are multiple queues to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""initial line"" or ""primary queue"" can be used for variety. In summary, "first queue" is a reliable phrase for clear communication about queue order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial line

Replaces "queue" with "line", emphasizing the physical arrangement.

head of the queue

Focuses on the position at the front rather than the entire queue.

primary queue

Substitutes "first" with "primary", indicating importance or order.

front of the line

Uses "line" instead of "queue" and "front" instead of "first", maintaining the same meaning.

first in line

Highlights the position in the line rather than the line itself.

leading queue

Replaces "first" with "leading", suggesting a queue that others follow.

initial waiting list

Uses "waiting list" instead of "queue", focusing on the list of people waiting.

top of the list

Emphasizes the highest position on a list rather than a physical queue.

vanguard queue

Replaces "first" with "vanguard", implying a leading or pioneering queue.

beginning queue

Substitutes "first" with "beginning", highlighting the start of the queue.

FAQs

How can I use "first queue" in a sentence?

You can use "first queue" to specify the initial line in a multi-queue scenario. For example, "Customers with reservations should proceed to the "first queue", while walk-ins go to the second."

What are some alternatives to "first queue"?

Alternatives include "initial line", "primary queue", or "head of the queue", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "the first queue"?

Yes, "the first queue" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to the initial queue in a series or sequence.

What's the difference between "first queue" and "initial queue"?

While both phrases are similar, ""first queue"" often implies a specific order or sequence, whereas "initial queue" simply refers to the queue at the beginning. The distinction is subtle and often context-dependent.