lined up

USAGE SUMMARY

"lined up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which several people or things are arranged side by side in a straight line. For example, "We lined up in the hallway and waited patiently to be called into the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He lined up jobs.

The New York Times

They lined up for hours.

The Economist

He tentatively lined up five.

The New York Times

Others lined up behind me.

The New York Times

Simpson lined up his drive.

The New Yorker

Fans were lined up to cheer him.

The Economist

Foreign donors have lined up in support.

The Economist

Minnesota just lined up and contained Detroit.

The New York Times

Eventually, conservative media lined up for Nixon.

The New York Times

And then, all the stars lined up".

The New York Times

As ever, they lined up at curbside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lined up" to describe people, ensure the context clearly indicates whether they are standing in a literal line or metaphorically aligned in support of something. For example: "The protesters lined up in front of the building" versus "The senators lined up in support of the bill".

Common error

Avoid using "lined up" when the items or people being described are not actually in a linear arrangement. Using it to describe a disorganized group or a chaotic situation can lead to confusion. For example, instead of saying "The tasks were lined up haphazardly", consider "The tasks were disorganized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lined up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used in the past tense. It describes the action of arranging items or people in a line, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig provides examples of both uses, showing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lined up" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and used to describe arrangements, preparations, or alignments, both physical and metaphorical. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. To ensure clear communication, consider the context and avoid using it when a linear arrangement isn't implied. Alternatives such as ""arranged in a row"" or ""prepared in advance"" might be more suitable depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arranged in a row

This alternative focuses on the physical arrangement of items in a linear fashion.

formed a queue

This describes a specific type of line, usually of people waiting for something.

queued up

Similar to "formed a queue", but slightly more informal.

organized sequentially

This emphasizes the order and arrangement of items according to a sequence.

positioned in order

This stresses the orderly placement of items.

prepared in advance

This shifts the meaning to a state of readiness, implying that things have been organized beforehand.

in alignment

This suggests that things are positioned correctly in relation to each other.

arrayed

This implies a formal or decorative arrangement.

set up

This is a more general term for preparing or arranging something.

drawn up

Suggests a formal arrangement, often used in legal or military contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "lined up" in a sentence?

"Lined up" can be used to describe physical arrangements, such as "The books were "arranged in a row" on the shelf", or metaphorical alignments, such as "The investors "prepared in advance" to support the project".

What are some alternatives to "lined up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""arranged in a row"", "formed a queue", or ""prepared in advance"".

Is it correct to say "everything lined up"?

Yes, "everything lined up" is a common idiom that means all the necessary conditions or factors came together successfully. For example, "All the stars "in alignment" for the project to succeed".

What does "lined up against" mean?

"Lined up against" suggests opposition or conflict. For example, "The prosecutors "set up" against the defendant in court".