sat in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sat in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of waiting in a queue or line for something, such as a service or event. Example: "We sat in line for hours to get tickets to the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I gave a false name to the receptionist and sat in line to see the housing officer.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was no sign for the ferry, and though foot passengers were allowed to board as soon as they arrived, motorists sat in line until 11 15 a.m., a half-hour past the scheduled departure.

The New York Times - Travel

I was a very big fan of webOS (the Pre was the first phone I ever sat in line for), and to see it lose support so unceremoniously was actually sort of painful.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

4. PIP – The real value of Google TV is that it sits in-line with your set-top box and essentially takes control of things.

TechCrunch

SÃO PAULO, Brazil  — Commuters sat in lines for more than three hours on Wednesday morning as Brazil's biggest city entangled itself in a record traffic jam.

The New York Times

"Nobody likes to sit in line, and those lines never should have happened".

The New York Times

They sit in line watching fire safety videos, again with hairnets, worn under their helmets.

The Guardian - Travel

Within hours of posting his offer to sit in line at the Apple store in San Francisco for $300, Daniel Roberts, 27, a Web engineer, said he got three takers.

The New York Times - Tech

Dozens of people made their way to the court building beginning around 7 30 Tuesday night to sit in line in order to be admitted inside on Wednesday morning to hear the decisions.

The New York Times

Instead of supplanting the broadcast TV experience entirely, it sits in line to it, ensuring that folks will still watch at least some commercials.

TechCrunch

I sit in line for more than an hour.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where someone is literally sitting while waiting in a line, "sat in line" is appropriate. However, consider using "waited in line" if the physical posture is not relevant or unknown.

Common error

Avoid using "sat in line" when the act of sitting isn't relevant to the context. Using "waited in line" is preferable if you want to focus on the waiting itself, regardless of whether the person is sitting, standing, or moving slowly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sat in line" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of waiting in a queue while being seated. This is clearly supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to depict someone waiting for a service or an event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

20%

Tech

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sat in line" is grammatically sound and understandable, though it is less common than the simpler "waited in line". As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly describes the act of waiting in a queue while seated. Its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, travel, and technology-related content. Remember to use this phrase when the act of sitting is relevant to the description; otherwise, "waited in line" is generally more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waited in line

This alternative is a more common and direct synonym, replacing "sat" with "waited" to emphasize the action of waiting.

queued up

This is a British English equivalent, offering a different regional variation for the same activity.

stood in line

This alternative specifies the physical position (standing) while waiting in line.

lined up

This phrase focuses on the act of forming a line, rather than the action of waiting within it.

waited one's turn

This emphasizes the concept of waiting for an opportunity or service, not necessarily in a physical line.

formed a queue

This highlights the action of creating or joining a queue.

was in the queue

This describes the state of being part of a waiting line or queue.

was in a waiting line

This is more descriptive of being in a waiting line.

in a holding pattern

This broader term suggests being temporarily delayed or waiting for further instructions, not necessarily in a physical line.

in a state of waiting

This expresses the general condition of waiting, which is more abstract than waiting in a specific line.

FAQs

What's the difference between "sat in line" and "waited in line"?

"Sat in line" specifies that the person was sitting while waiting, while "waited in line" is more general and doesn't specify the posture.

Is it correct to say "sat on line" instead of "sat in line"?

No, "sat on line" is not a standard English expression. The correct phrase is "sat in line", indicating someone was waiting in a queue.

What can I say instead of "sat in line" to sound more formal?

While "sat in line" is already fairly neutral, you could use "waited in the queue" in more formal contexts.

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

You can use it to describe a situation where someone was physically sitting and waiting their turn, for example, "She sat in line for hours to get the new phone".