front of a queue

USAGE SUMMARY

"front of a queue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the beginning of a physical or virtual line. For example: "I got to the front of the queue and was first in line to order my food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Don't cheat at sport, don't push to the front of a queue.

The Guardian

But she knew how to get to the front of a queue and her elbows were sharp.

The Guardian - Arts

I felt humiliated in front of a queue of people, wasted my lunch hour and incurred city centre parking fees.

The Guardian - Money

In reality, Britons are just as likely to jump to the front of a queue and then punch the person behind them for coughing.

The Guardian - Sport

So admitting in front of a queue of strangers that you cannot afford to clear your balance can be painfully embarrassing.Japan's credit-card industry has been held back for years by old habits.

The Economist

What are you, Dr Doolittle?" Larry in the right: I supported Larry 100% over people parking outside the lines, and I liked his comment to a woman trying a "chat and cut" to get to the front of a queue: "Ninety-nine times out of 100 that's gonna work.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I tried desperately not to fall off in front of a giggling queue, but I slowed the swing to a halt about two minutes in due to the insides-going-grey feeling that can only be recognized as intense nausea.

Vice

I tried desperately not to fall off in front of a giggling queue, but I slowed the swing to a halt about two minutes in due to the insides-going-grey feeling that can only be recognised as intense nausea.

Vice

We stood in front of an impatient queue of people at the entrance, their hopes of getting into the prison fading fast.

The Guardian

I like to think I probably wouldn't do that at the front of a check-in queue".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's 10pm and I'm standing towards the front of a 60-person queue in the underpass at the entrance to the Sydney Opera House.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or events, use "front of a queue" to clearly indicate priority or order of service. This phrase avoids ambiguity and is universally understood in contexts involving waiting or sequential processing.

Common error

Avoid using "in front of a queue" when you mean "at the front of a queue". "In front of" typically describes a position relative to something else, whereas "at the front" specifies a precise location within the queue.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "front of a queue" is to act as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates location or position relative to a waiting line. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "front of a queue" clearly and concisely indicates the beginning of a waiting line. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While not exceedingly common, its meaning is universally understood and easily replaceable with synonyms like "head of the line" or "start of the queue". Remember to use "front of" rather than "in front of" when specifying position at the very start of a queue. Ultimately, mastering this phrase ensures clarity in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head of the line

Replaces "front" with "head" and "queue" with "line", implying the same leading position.

at the head of the line

Similar to "head of the line", with "at" specifying the location.

start of the queue

Substitutes "front" with "start", emphasizing the beginning of the line.

beginning of the queue

Similar to "start of the queue", but uses "beginning" for a slightly more formal tone.

forefront of the queue

Replaces "front" with "forefront", suggesting a position of prominence.

vanguard of the queue

Uses "vanguard" (meaning the forefront or leading position) for a more impactful tone.

van of the queue

Uses "van" (archaic) to mean the front or vanguard, slightly altering the tone.

leading position in the queue

More descriptive, replacing "front" with the broader concept of a "leading position".

first in line

Focuses on being "first" rather than the physical location at the front.

pole position in the queue

Borrowing from racing terminology, suggests the most advantageous starting point.

FAQs

What does "front of a queue" mean?

The phrase "front of a queue" refers to the position at the very beginning of a line of people waiting for something. It indicates the place where the next person will be served or allowed to proceed.

Is it acceptable to say "head of the queue" instead of "front of a queue"?

Yes, "head of the line" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "front of a queue" and carries the same meaning. The choice often depends on regional preference or stylistic preference.

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

You might say, "She managed to get to the front of the queue just before the doors opened" or "Priority boarding allows you to be at the front of the queue".

What's the difference between "in front of a queue" and "front of a queue"?

"In front of a queue" generally indicates a position ahead of the line but not necessarily at the very beginning. "Front of a queue", however, specifies the first position in the line, where the service starts. For example: Standing "in front of" the queue means you are somewhere before the line, while being at the front of the queue means you are the first person waiting.