next in line

USAGE SUMMARY

"next in line" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, thing, or idea that follows another in a sequence or succession. For example, "The new hire is next in line for the position of CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was next in line.

The New Yorker

She was next in line.

The New Yorker

Schools are next in line.

The Economist

And we're next in line".

The New York Times - Sports

Are you next in line?

The New York Times

And we were next in line".

Independent

I felt I was next in line.

The New York Times

Price is among the next in line.

The New York Times - Sports

Next in line were DDT and chlordane.

The New Yorker

Portugal and Ireland are next in line.

The Economist

Brad Hodge is next in line.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about hierarchical systems, "next in line" is effective for showing the chain of command or succession, especially when indicating who assumes responsibility if the current leader is unavailable.

Common error

Avoid confusing "next in line" with the term "inline", which refers to something positioned within a line of text or code. Using "inline" when you mean "next in line" will result in a nonsensical statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next in line" functions as a modifier indicating sequence or order. It typically follows a noun, specifying who or what comes immediately after in a given arrangement. As seen in Ludwig, it highlights a position in a series or hierarchy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "next in line" is a common and versatile expression used to denote succession or order. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While generally neutral in tone, its use is especially prevalent in news and media. When using "next in line", be sure to differentiate it from similar-sounding phrases and to choose the most appropriate synonym based on the specific context. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the queue

Implies a waiting order, similar to "next in line" but often used in more informal contexts.

up next

A more casual and concise way to indicate the subsequent person or item.

following in succession

A more formal and explicit way to describe the sequence of events or people.

sequentially following

Highlights the ordered progression, often used in technical contexts.

in order of precedence

Emphasizes a predetermined ranking or priority.

the subsequent one

A general way to refer to the next item or person in a series.

coming up

Informal way to announce the next event, topic, or person.

in turn

Suggests a rotational sequence or orderly progression.

the successor

Specifically refers to the person or thing that follows and replaces another.

who's next?

Direct question indicating the search for the next participant.

FAQs

How to use "next in line" in a sentence?

The phrase "next in line" is used to indicate who or what immediately follows something else in a sequence. For example, "After Sarah's presentation, John is "up next"", meaning he's "next in line".

What can I say instead of "next in line"?

You can use alternatives like ""up next"", "following in succession", or "in the queue" depending on the context.

Is "next in line" formal or informal?

"Next in line" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal situations, "the subsequent one" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "next in line" and "in line"?

"Next in line" indicates immediate succession or order. "In line" generally means conforming to rules or expectations, or physically positioned in a queue. Therefore, "being in line" is very different than "who's next" or "next in line".