second in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is next in order or position, often in a queue or hierarchy. Example: "After waiting for an hour, I was finally second in line to buy the concert tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

He is now second in line to the presidency.

The New York Times

Charley, the second in line, dabbled with watercolors and colored pencils and banged things together.

The New Yorker

He is presently the second in line for succession, after his brother, Naruhito.

The New York Times

I was second in line, behind a young woman with a thick German accent.

The New York Times

They unfolded lawn chairs on the damp sidewalk, and were second in line.

The New Yorker

The second in line to the throne suggested his grandmother would be tough to follow.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He named as second-in-line to the throne a young son with limited experience.

The New Yorker

Muhammad bin Nayef, the interior minister and second-in-line to the throne, was elevated to crown prince.

The Economist

The second-in-line to the throne appears in the July issue of Attitude magazine, discussing the mental health implications of homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullyings.

The Guardian

This article was amended on 15 June 2016 to correct the fact the Prince William is second-in-line to the throne rather than heir.

The Guardian

He's helped by the fact that he's second-in-line to the throne.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second in line" to clearly indicate sequential order or priority, especially when alternatives like "runner-up" might imply competition rather than succession.

Common error

Avoid using "second in line" when you mean something is not new; instead, use "second-hand" or "used". "Second in line" refers to order or succession, not the condition of an item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second in line" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a position within a sequence or hierarchy. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts ranging from royal succession to queueing, demonstrating its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second in line" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the position or order immediately following the first. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile, appearing in various contexts from formal succession to everyday situations like queuing. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase effectively clarifies hierarchical structures or sequences. While "second in line" is frequently interchangeable with alternatives like "next in succession" or "runner-up", care should be taken to avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "second-hand". Therefore, clarity of meaning is paramount in its correct application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next in succession

Emphasizes the order of inheritance or official ranking.

in second place

Specifically indicates the position of being second.

second in command

Highlights a leadership role directly below the top position.

next inline

More precise when refering to queues

runner-up

Focuses on competition and coming in second place.

number two

A more informal way of saying second in a hierarchy or list.

second to

Highlights the difference or distance between the first and the second position.

heir apparent

Refers to someone who is expected to inherit a title or position, but emphasizes expectation rather than current order.

secondary position

Focuses more directly on a weaker position

follow after

Describes someone or something that comes directly after something else.

FAQs

How is the phrase "second in line" typically used?

The phrase "second in line" is commonly used to indicate the order of succession, priority, or position within a hierarchy. For example, one might be "second in line" to the throne or "second in line" to receive a promotion.

What is a good alternative to "second in line" when referring to a queue?

When referring to a queue, a good alternative to "second in line" is "next in line", which specifies the person immediately following the one being served.

How does "second in line" differ from "runner-up"?

"Second in line" generally describes sequential order or succession, while "runner-up" specifically refers to the person or team that comes in second place in a competition.

In presidential succession, who is "second in line"?

In the United States, the Vice President is first in line to succeed the President. The "Speaker of the House" is next, making them "second in line" after the Vice President.