queuing up

USAGE SUMMARY

"queuing up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of forming a line or waiting in line for something. Example: "People were queuing up outside the concert venue." Alternative expressions include "lining up" and "waiting in line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're queuing up!

Independent

The songs were queuing up.

The New Yorker

"The journalists were queuing up.

The Guardian

"People are queuing up to join.

The Economist

"They [the men] were queuing up outside.

The Guardian

Now they'll be queuing up to visit.

Independent

People start queuing up at 4am.

The Guardian

'People queuing up all the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Already, dot.coms are queuing up to move in.

The Economist

Potential candidates are queuing up to take him on.

The Economist

We're queuing up follow-on work as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "queuing up" to describe situations where people or entities are waiting in a sequential order for something, whether physical or metaphorical. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what they are waiting for.

Common error

Avoid using "queuing up" when the order of waiting is not relevant or when items are simply accumulating without a sequence. For example, don't say "bills are queuing up on my desk" if they aren't being processed in a specific order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "queuing up" functions as a verb phrase, often part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "are queuing up", "were queuing up"). As Ludwig confirms, it describes the action of forming or standing in a line, whether literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "queuing up" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of forming or waiting in a line, whether literally or figuratively. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across various contexts, especially in news and media, and business, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication.

While alternatives like "lining up" or "waiting in line" exist, "queuing up" distinctly implies an ordered sequence. When writing, ensure the context aligns with this implication to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lining up

Similar meaning, focusing on the physical action of forming a line.

waiting in line

Emphasizes the act of waiting sequentially.

in the queue

Indicates being part of a waiting line or sequence.

forming a queue

More formal way to describe the process of creating a line.

standing in line

Focuses on the physical stance while waiting.

awaiting their turn

Emphasizes the expectation of an opportunity.

preparing to

More general, indicating readiness for an upcoming event.

getting ready

Similar to "preparing to", but can imply a more active preparation.

on standby

Suggests readiness to be activated or called upon.

waiting for

A broader term for anticipating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "queuing up" to describe people or things waiting in a line. For example, "Customers were queuing up outside the store before it opened" or "Several projects are queuing up for approval".

What is a good alternative to "queuing up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "lining up", "waiting in line", or "preparing to".

Is "queuing up" formal or informal?

"Queuing up" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though "forming a queue" is a more formal alternative.

What's the difference between "queuing up" and "waiting for"?

"Queuing up" implies an ordered sequence of waiting, while "waiting for" is more general and doesn't necessarily suggest a specific order or line.