lining up

USAGE SUMMARY

"lining up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to describe the physical action of standing in a line or queue. For example: "The students lined up for lunch in the cafeteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Divorce lawyers, start lining up!

The New York Times

People are lining up to donate blood.

The New Yorker

Guys were lining up for the chance.

The New York Times

Why weren't the women lining up?

The New York Times

They were lining up to schedule us".

The New York Times

He's lining up the shot.

The Guardian - Sport

Journalists have been lining up for interviews.

The New York Times

It's like all the stars lining up".

The Guardian

"The stars might be lining up".

The New York Times

Women were lining up for my favours.

The Guardian - Film

It was all lining up perfectly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lining up" to describe both physical queues and metaphorical preparations for events or opportunities.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear whether "lining up" refers to a literal line or a figurative arrangement. Otherwise, rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lining up" functions primarily as a verb in the present continuous tense, describing an ongoing action of forming a line or preparing for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lining up" is a versatile verb phrase frequently used to describe the act of forming a line or preparing for an event. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and applicable in diverse contexts. With a neutral register, it appears most commonly in news and media. When considering alternatives, options like "getting in line" or "preparing to compete" may suit different nuances. Remember to ensure context clarifies the intended meaning, whether literal or figurative, for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting in line

Focuses on the action of joining an existing queue.

forming a queue

Emphasizes the creation of an orderly line.

queuing up

A synonym, more common in British English.

arranging themselves

Highlights the self-organization aspect of forming a line.

positioning themselves

Focuses on strategic placement in anticipation of something.

preparing to compete

Implies readiness for a challenge or opportunity.

getting ready

A more general phrase suggesting preparation.

making preparations

Emphasizes the planning and arrangement aspect.

getting organized

Highlights the act of structuring and systematizing.

setting the stage

Implies creating the necessary conditions for an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "lining up" to describe people forming a queue, as in "People were lining up for the concert tickets". It can also refer to preparations, like "The companies are lining up to bid on the project".

What are some alternatives to "lining up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "getting in line", "forming a queue", or "preparing to compete".

Is "lining up" formal or informal?

"Lining up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional settings.

When should I use "lining up" versus "line up"?

"Lining up" is the present participle, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are lining up"). "Line up" is the base form of the verb (e.g., "Please line up").