he lined up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he lined up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of arranging or positioning people or objects in a straight line or sequence. Example: "He lined up the chairs for the event, ensuring they were all facing the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He lined up jobs.

The New York Times

He lined up meetings with Viacom.

The New York Times

He lined up viewings of 17 apartments.

The New York Times

Had he lined up a new gig?

The New Yorker

He lined up five tiles in a row.

The New Yorker

He lined up once as a slot receiver.

The New York Times - Sports

He lined up his cuff links just so.

The New York Times

He lined up with the rest of them.

The New Yorker

He lined up farm animals and pushed around fire trucks.

The New York Times

Cameras stayed on him longer as he lined up a putt.

The New York Times - Sports

Then he lined up the roughly two dozen cuts needed for the project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he lined up" to describe physical positioning, ensure the context clarifies the purpose, such as lining up for a race or a photograph. This provides a clear understanding of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "he lined up" in situations where arrangement is not linear or ordered. Using "he arranged" or "he organized" might be more appropriate if the context involves general preparation rather than forming a specific line.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he lined up" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "lined up" is a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating its role in describing an action of arranging or preparing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he lined up" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the action of arranging in a line, preparing for something, or aligning with a group or idea. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely recognized and accepted. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate that "he lined up" is used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and sports reporting. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates the type of arrangement or preparation being described. Alternatives such as "he arranged" or "he prepared" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he arranged

This alternative is more general, focusing on the act of putting things in order but without necessarily forming a line.

he positioned himself

This alternative emphasizes the action of taking a specific location or stance in preparation for something.

he prepared himself

This alternative focuses on mental or physical readiness, not necessarily a physical arrangement.

he queued up

This phrase refers specifically to joining a line, common in British English.

he aligned himself

This alternative emphasizes bringing oneself into agreement or support, often metaphorical.

he got ready

This is a more general phrase for preparing oneself, which doesn't imply a specific arrangement.

he marshalled

This implies gathering and arranging resources or people, often for a specific purpose.

he arrayed

This alternative suggests a more elaborate or decorative arrangement, often used in a formal context.

he organized

This alternative emphasizes systematic arrangement and planning, not necessarily in a linear fashion.

he drew up

This alternative suggests assembling or arranging something, often in a plan or document form.

FAQs

What does "he lined up" mean?

The phrase "he lined up" generally means that someone arranged themselves or objects in a line or prepared for something in an ordered fashion. It can also mean that someone aligned themselves with a particular group or cause.

What can I say instead of "he lined up"?

You can use alternatives like "he arranged", "he positioned himself", or "he prepared himself" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he lined up for" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "he lined up for" something. This usage indicates that someone joined a queue or prepared to participate in an activity. For example, "he lined up for the job interview".

Can "he lined up" refer to aligning with a group or idea?

Yes, "he lined up" can sometimes refer to aligning with a group or idea, similar to saying "he sided with" or "he supported". However, this usage is less common than the literal meaning of forming a line.