has been in a queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in a queue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been waiting in line or waiting for service. Example: "The customer has been in a queue for over an hour, waiting to be served."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Researchers have found it can affect how long we think we've been in a queue, how cooperative shoppers are with sales staff, and even how sweet or bitter food tastes.

The Guardian

c w is the cost of a unit of waiting time, namely 0.10 €/min[12]]; m is the total number of users who have been in a queue during the reference time period; t wi is the waiting time in minutes of the i th user.

European Transport Research Review

I made some initial comments on these plans last week, but haven't otherwise had much to say about them, even though a fuller discussion has been in my article queue since I started writing on the Forbes platform.

Forbes

iPhone apps like this aren't coded overnight, and Wallaby's app has been in the approval queue with Apple since November 5th.

TechCrunch

They've presumably been sitting quiet in anticipation of Skyfire for iPhone — which, by the way, has been in Apple's approval queue for a month and a half now.

TechCrunch

A first-time voter said: "I've been in the queue for one hour to vote but that's no pain, I can wait for hours".

The Guardian

"And it was quite frightening, because I was thinking, 'These people have been in the queue for that length of time and we've got to turn them away.

The Guardian - Sport

In Domboshawa village, about an hour's car drive from the capital, Harare, many had been in the queue even before sunrise.

BBC

Among them was Nadeem Gul, a 35-year-old driver, who had been in the dodgems queue with his children when the bomb went off.

The Guardian

The call lasted 95 seconds, but was not received as it may have been in queue.

Wikipedia

The only chance of getting in has been to queue for returns.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been in a queue", ensure the context clearly indicates a waiting line or sequence. For example, specify where the queue is and what people are waiting for.

Common error

Avoid using "has been in a queue" when the situation doesn't involve a literal or figurative waiting line. For example, don't use it to describe someone who is simply delayed, unless they are waiting as part of a structured process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in a queue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of waiting or being part of a waiting line. It uses the present perfect tense to connect a past action to the present. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been in a queue" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the state of waiting in a line. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, no direct examples with an exact match were found in the provided search data. Related phrases include variations like "has waited in line" or "has queued up". Usage is generally neutral and can fit both formal and informal contexts, with frequency depending on the specific scenario. When employing the phrase, ensure the context is clearly indicative of waiting in a line or structured sequence. Because of the lack of data Ludwig could not perform frequency and context analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has waited in line

Replaces "queue" with "line", a common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

has been waiting in a queue

Adds the continuous aspect of "waiting", emphasizing the act of waiting.

has been in the waiting line

Combines both "waiting" and "line" to emphasize the position in a line.

has queued up

Uses the phrasal verb "queued up" which is a more concise way of saying the same thing.

has stood in line

Replaces "been in a queue" with a more active description of standing.

has joined the queue

Focuses on the action of entering the queue.

has been part of the queue

Highlights being a member of the queue.

has been on the waiting list

Shifts the context to a waiting list, which is a type of queue.

has been in the approval process

Changes the context to a process that involves waiting, like an approval.

has awaited their turn

Focuses on the anticipation of one's turn in a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been in a queue"?

You can use alternatives such as "has waited in line", "has been waiting in a queue", or "has queued up" depending on the context.

Is "has been in a queue" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been in a queue" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to describe an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

What's the difference between "has been in a queue" and "was in a queue"?

"Has been in a queue" implies the person or item may still be in the queue or the experience of being in the queue is relevant now. "Was in a queue" simply states they were in a queue at some point in the past, with no implication of present relevance.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "has been in a queue"?

Use "has been in a queue" when describing someone or something that has waited, or is still waiting, in a line or sequence. This is common in contexts like waiting for service, boarding a plane, or during any kind of line-up.