stand in a queue

USAGE SUMMARY

"stand in a queue" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of waiting in an orderly line, usually for a particular purpose. For example: “We had to stand in a queue for over an hour in order to get tickets to the concert.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"You stand in a queue," Mary said.

The Guardian - Books

"In England, we love to stand in a queue," he said.

The New Yorker

In Zimbabwe, well in all of Africa, banks have pillars, and you stand in a queue.

The New York Times

Drugs helped: "I could stand in a queue without getting impatient and watch the news without getting distracted".

The Economist

When I entered the store, I had to stand in a queue – a couple of customers were looking carefully at the display.

The Guardian - Money

We could see the audience was on mobile – you only have to stand in a queue in Pret to see that".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But high tension ensues as he stands in a queue behind a woman who may or may not be interested in buying the morsel for herself.

The Guardian - Books

We stood in a queue with the other great and good, and we chatted a lot and were asked to be quiet by the footmen.

The Guardian - Books

And if you took a whole day off work, borrowed money for the transport and stood in a queue all day, only to learn that the clinic had run out of your pills, what would you do?

The Guardian

All the same, I stood in a queue on the Mound behind a pair of American tourists who were sure they were going to be within spitting distance of greatness, touching the hem, as it were, of "the real man behind the legend", as it says in the publicity.

Independent

On my first day of university, I stood in a queue to collect my student ID card, which would enable me to open various establishment doors – a card I would lose two days later, resulting in me spending three years waiting next to said doors.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the length or inconvenience of waiting, consider adding descriptive adjectives such as "long", "slow-moving", or "tedious" before "queue".

Common error

Avoid using "queue" interchangeably with words like "cue" (a signal) or "Q" (the letter). "Queue" specifically refers to a line of people or vehicles waiting for something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand in a queue" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of waiting in an orderly line. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stand in a queue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, especially in British English, to describe the act of waiting in an orderly line. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. It's important to note the cultural context, as "wait in line" is more prevalent in American English. While the phrase can be used in various contexts, including news and formal settings, it maintains a neutral tone. Remember to avoid confusing "queue" with other similar-sounding words and consider using descriptive adjectives to provide more detail. Alternatives like "wait in line" and "queue up" provide similar meanings while adapting to different regional preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait in line

This alternative is a more common and concise way to express the same action using simpler vocabulary.

queue up

This alternative is a phrasal verb that means the same thing, but it's more common in British English.

line up

This alternative emphasizes the formation of a line more directly.

form a queue

This alternative emphasizes the action of creating a queue.

join the queue

This alternative focuses on the act of becoming part of an existing queue.

wait one's turn

This alternative emphasizes the act of waiting for one's opportunity.

be in a waiting line

This alternative emphasizes the state of being in a queue.

await in a queue

This alternative uses a more formal verb to describe waiting.

patiently wait in line

This alternative emphasizes the need for patience while waiting.

stand in a long line

This alternative specifies that the queue is extended.

FAQs

What is the difference between "stand in a queue" and "wait in line"?

While both phrases describe the act of waiting in an ordered line, "stand in a queue" is more common in British English, while "wait in line" is more prevalent in American English. They are largely interchangeable, but consider your audience when choosing which to use. Using "wait in line" is perfectly acceptable.

Is it correct to say "standing in a queue"?

Yes, "standing in a queue" is grammatically correct. It is the present participle form of the verb phrase, often used to describe an ongoing action. For example: "I was "standing in a queue" when I realized I'd left my wallet at home."

What can I say instead of "stand in a queue" to sound more formal?

While "stand in a queue" is already acceptable in most contexts, to sound more formal you could say "await in a queue" or "join the queue" depending on what you want to focus your sentence on.

How do I use "stand in a queue" in a sentence?

You can use "stand in a queue" to describe the action of physically waiting in a line. For example: "People had to "stand in a queue" for hours to get the new product."