sit in line

USAGE SUMMARY

"sit in line" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone taking a physical position behind other people who are already in line. For example, "They were asked to sit in line so their temperatures could be taken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Travel

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

The New York Times

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

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

I sit in line for more than an hour.

Huffington Post

He watched numerous people sit in line for a spell, then just drive away, he said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Quite where neuromorphic machines will sit in-line with current Graphical Processing Unit GPU-powered advancements and forthcoming quantum computing advancements is hard to say.

Forbes

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

But water utilities, from small towns in Maine that serve around 50,000 people to major systems in the Boston metro area, again asked customers in their most recent round of testing to flush lines or remove aerators before a six-hour period when water must sit in lines.

The Guardian

Behind a frosted glass wall -- that clears on command -- dozens of employees sit in lines assembling and testing the company's stun guns and cams.

Forbes

On the production line at Neo-Neon in Gong He town in Guangdong province, in the south of the country, young workers sit in lines welding circuit boards for neon lighting displays.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "sit in line" to clearly convey both the act of sitting and the sequential arrangement of people or objects. For example, "The children were asked to sit in line before receiving their vaccinations."

Common error

Avoid using "sit in line" when you mean to say someone is simply "sitting down". The phrase implies a specific arrangement and order, so ensure the context warrants its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sit in line" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Examples show it depicting scenarios of waiting, order, and sequence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sit in line" describes the act of sitting and waiting sequentially. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially when describing people waiting their turn. While relatively uncommon, its register is neutral, making it suitable for varied contexts from news reports to travel narratives. Related phrases include "queue up" and "wait in a queue". Remember to use it when both the sitting and sequential arrangement are relevant to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait in a queue

Replaces "line" with "queue", a synonym, and uses "wait" instead of "sit", emphasizing the action of waiting.

queue up

A phrasal verb that encapsulates the entire action of forming and waiting in a line.

stand in line

Replaces "sit" with "stand", indicating a different physical posture while waiting in the line.

line up

A more general term for forming a line, without explicitly mentioning sitting.

form a queue

Focuses on the action of creating a queue, similar to lining up.

join the queue

Emphasizes the act of entering an existing queue or line.

take a place in line

Highlights the action of occupying a spot within a line.

await one's turn in line

Adds a sense of anticipation and formality to the act of waiting in line.

be in a waiting line

More descriptive and emphasizes the purpose of the line which is waiting.

wait one's turn

Omits the reference to a physical line, focusing solely on the act of waiting for an opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "sit in line" in a sentence?

Use "sit in line" to describe the act of people sitting and forming a queue, often waiting for something. For example, "The students sit in line quietly before entering the examination hall."

What does it mean to "sit in line"?

"Sit in line" means to be seated while waiting in a queue or sequential arrangement. It implies an orderly manner of waiting.

What's the difference between "sit in a row" and "sit in line"?

"Sit in line" typically suggests waiting for something in an organized manner, like at a ticket counter. "Sit in a row" simply describes a seating arrangement without the implication of waiting.

What are some synonyms for "sit in line"?

Alternatives include "queue up", "wait in a queue", or "stand in line" depending on whether people are sitting or standing.