queuing

USAGE SUMMARY

"queuing" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is most commonly used as a verb, meaning "to form a queue or line." For example: "People were queuing up for hours to get the newest iPhone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Word of mouth is your only hope; get people talking about you early on, and by the end of your week they'll be queuing around the block.

The Guardian

That idea of an "indie" band using the tropes and techniques of R&B, the stuttering rhythms and itchy glitchiness of 2step, in tandem with a proper pop song bright enough to light up the charts – you'd think bands would have been queuing up to do that.

The Guardian - Music

"They [the men] were queuing up outside.

The Guardian

Investment banks, magic circle law firms and international consultancies are permanent fixtures at Accra's plush hotels, where they are literally queuing up to tout for business.

The Guardian

In Nigeria, many still remember queuing to use the Nitel (the country's national operator) phone in the village.

The Guardian

Every iPhone and iPad release since 2007 has been accompanied by long lines of expectant fans queuing around the block – often for days and nights – ahead the new gadgets going on sale.

The Guardian - Tech

"When we went on, when we were queuing, it said: 'We've got a couple of technical difficulties' and then probably 10 or 15 minutes later the ride carried on.

The Guardian - Travel

There will be dozens of Michael Winner lookalikes out there, maybe even the great man himself, queuing up to say it was a JOKE for goodness sake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With former squeaking child star Bonnie Langford set to join the EastEnders cast later this year and Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding heading to Corrie, well-known boat races are queuing up for their hallowed place in soapland.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

More, faster trains can spell additional problems for users of level crossings: road closures are longer, leading to more traffic queuing, and encourage some pedestrians and drivers to take bigger risks as the red lights flash, knowing they could otherwise be in for a lengthy wait – witness the astonishing footage released by transport police of narrow escapes.

The Guardian

The two fell into animated conversation about their work, which would never have happened if they had met queuing at the tea urn in a break from a night shift.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "queuing" when you want to emphasize the act of forming or waiting in a line, especially in a systematic or orderly fashion. For example, "Customers were queuing for the new product launch."

Common error

Avoid using "queue" as a verb without the "-ing" ending when describing an ongoing action. For instance, instead of saying "People queue for the bus", say "People are queuing for the bus" to maintain correct verb tense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "queuing" is as a verb in its present participle form, often used within continuous tenses (e.g., "are queuing", "were queuing"). It describes the ongoing action of forming or waiting in a line. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "queuing" is the present participle of the verb "queue", primarily used to describe the act of waiting in or forming a line. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "waiting in line" and "standing in line" exist, "queuing" specifically emphasizes the orderly aspect of waiting. Remembering to use the "-ing" ending when describing an ongoing action is essential to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting in line

A more general term emphasizing the act of waiting in an ordered sequence.

in a queue

Shorter version indicating position inside an ordered line.

in a waiting line

Similar to waiting in line, with slight emphasis on the existence of an already established line.

being in line

Describes the state of being part of an ordered sequence.

standing in line

Focuses specifically on the physical act of standing while waiting.

lining up

Implies the process of forming a line.

forming a queue

Highlights the action of creating an orderly line.

awaiting one's turn

Emphasizes the expectation of a turn in a sequence.

waiting one's turn

Specifies individual anticipation within a sequence.

taking turns

Focuses on the concept of sequential actions.

FAQs

How is "queuing" correctly used in a sentence?

"Queuing" is the present participle of the verb "queue", indicating an ongoing action of forming or waiting in a line. For example, "The shoppers are queuing outside the store before it opens."

What are some alternatives to saying "queuing"?

You can use alternatives like "waiting in line", "standing in line", or "lining up" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "queuing" and "in line"?

"Queuing" refers to the act of forming or waiting in a line, while "in line" describes the state of already being part of an ordered sequence. For example, people are "queuing" to get "in line".

When should I use "queue" versus "queuing"?

"Queue" is primarily used as a noun to refer to the line itself, or as a verb to indicate the action of joining a line. "Queuing" is the present participle of the verb, used to describe the ongoing action of waiting in line. For example, "The queue was long", versus "People were queuing for tickets".