has been queuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been queuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of waiting in line that started in the past and continues to the present. Example: "She has been queuing for tickets since early morning to ensure she gets a good seat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He has been queuing all day for government-subsidised rice.

The Economist

Holly Odame-Asante, a 22-year-old student, has been queuing since 6am outside the Regent Street H&M store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

EVER since the historic June summit between the leaders of North and South Korea, the world has been queuing up to welcome the once-reclusive northerner, Kim Jong Il, in from the cold.

The Economist

Mishra, along with at least a dozen other women, has been queuing for two hours in baking heat at a Dena Bank branch in Mumbai, hoping to deposit a bundle of cash she has brought with her.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anyone who is anyone has been queueing up to say what a smashing wee chap and footballer Xavi is, as he does one from Barcelona.

The Guardian - Sport

It saw off Pearl Harbor and became one of those rare films that everybody - young and old, dim and bright, provincial and Parisian - has been queueing up to see.

The Guardian

I've been queuing since 5.30am.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lynda Reid had been queuing since 5 30am before being knocked back.

The Guardian - Opinion

People have been queuing for up to 3 hours to give blood in Paris.

Independent

This week they have been queuing up to announce pro-City taskforces and reforms.

The Economist

French politicians have been queuing up to support the right to cultural protectionism.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been queuing" to describe an action of waiting in a line that started in the past and continues to the present, especially when emphasizing the duration or ongoing nature of the wait.

Common error

Avoid using "has been queuing" when the action of queuing has already finished. Instead, use "queued" or "had been queuing" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been queuing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing at the present moment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been queuing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing action of waiting in a line that began in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it's readily found in news and media sources, emphasizing the duration and persistence of waiting. Consider alternatives like "has been waiting in line" for broader contexts or to adjust the formality. Pay attention to the tense to avoid misusing it for completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been waiting in line

Replaces "queuing" with a more common synonym, "waiting in line", maintaining the same meaning.

has stood in queue

Uses the verb "stood" instead of "been", and "queue" instead of "queuing", slightly altering the emphasis but preserving the core meaning.

was queuing up

Shifts the tense to past continuous, indicating a past action of queuing that may or may not be ongoing.

has been lined up

Replaces "queuing" with "lined up", implying a more structured or organized form of waiting.

has awaited in a queue

Uses the verb "awaited" and specifies "in a queue", adding a formal tone and emphasizing anticipation.

has been in a waiting line

Emphasizes the state of being in a line while waiting, providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

has been patiently waiting

Adds the adverb "patiently", highlighting the manner of waiting rather than just the act of queuing.

has remained in queue

Focuses on the persistence of remaining in the queue, suggesting a longer duration of waiting.

has been holding their place

Shifts the focus to maintaining one's position in a line or order, implying effort to stay in the queue.

has been standing by

Indicates a state of readiness while waiting, potentially implying a more active form of waiting.

FAQs

What does "has been queuing" mean?

The phrase "has been queuing" means that someone started waiting in a line or queue at some point in the past and is still waiting there now. It emphasizes the continuous nature of the action.

What's the difference between "has been queuing" and "has been waiting"?

While both phrases are very similar, "has been queuing" specifically refers to waiting in a line, whereas "has been waiting" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a line or queue. The first one might be more popular in British English.

How can I use "has been queuing" in a sentence?

You can use "has been queuing" to describe someone waiting in a line, for example: "She has been queuing for tickets since early morning."

Are there any synonyms for "has been queuing"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "has been waiting in line", "has lined up", or "has been in a queue" as alternatives.