stand in formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stand in formation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group or group of people who are standing in an organized way, for example, soldiers standing in rows or even birds flying in a neat pattern. For example: The troops stood in formation, awaiting their orders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Do you want to stand in formation with third platoon?" my old platoon sergeant asked.

The New York Times

Back at camp at the end of the day, they had to stand in formation for another roll call while the sweat froze in their clothes.

The New Yorker

Out on tiny firebases — no matter how remote or austere — Afghan soldiers ran to stand in formation when we arrived, the lieutenant in charge shouting his report: "One officer, one sergeant, 10 soldiers ready for inspection!

The New York Times

Broad, metre-high hillocks stand in formation, in line but not touching, across more than 600 acres of land, providing an oasis of green in the otherwise shrub-infested grasslands.

BBC

And they stand in "formation" along with the rest of us; more than 55percentt of Americans will cheat on their spouses at some point in their marriages.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Said to have been used by Druids when the Celts populated the area, and then later by the Christians, they now stand in formations, in groups, or alone — mysterious remnants of a prehistoric past that still seems to haunt the wild coast of France.

The New York Times - Travel

Instead, about 20 Guardian Angels, in their hallmark red satin jackets and berets, stood in formation in the hallway outside the courtroom.

The New York Times

"What if they strike us?" Riot police officers massed in the central Tahrir Square and stood in formation outside the lawyers', doctors' and journalists' syndicates.

The New York Times

On the streets of Tegucigalpa, tensions remained high on Monday and soldiers stood in formation at the president's office, the airport and other important locations.

The New York Times

The multistory III Corps banner billowed in the wind as hundreds of soldiers stood in formation on the expansive parade ground waiting for the buses of troops.

The New York Times

Finally, Cuba's baseball team walked out and stood in formation, each player holding the hand of a small child in uniform, as a singer lauded them for turning down the offer of "millions of dollars" to "betray the fatherland".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stand in formation", ensure the context clearly indicates a structured or organized arrangement, particularly in military, ceremonial, or performance-related scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "stand in formation" when describing loosely grouped individuals. The phrase implies a deliberate and organized arrangement, so ensure the situation aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand in formation" primarily functions as a descriptive verb phrase. It describes the manner in which a group is positioned, indicating a structured or organized arrangement. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used in both military and non-military contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stand in formation" is a descriptive term indicating an organized or structured arrangement of individuals or objects. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts, particularly when describing military or ceremonial settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a deliberate and organized arrangement to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "align in formation" or "line up in formation" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take position in formation

Highlights the act of assuming a specific location within the formation.

align in formation

Focuses on the alignment aspect of the formation, rather than the act of standing.

line up in formation

Emphasizes the act of forming a line as part of the formation.

muster in formation

Suggests a formal gathering, typically for military purposes, before forming the lineup.

arrange themselves in formation

Highlights the action of individuals organizing into the specified arrangement.

station themselves in formation

Implies assigning a fixed position for each member of the formation.

assemble in formation

Implies gathering together before organizing into a formation.

array in formation

Focuses on the visual arrangement of elements within the formation.

form a line

A more general term, indicating the creation of a line but not necessarily a formal formation.

group in formation

A broader term, indicating grouping but not necessarily in a highly structured manner.

FAQs

How do you use "stand in formation" in a sentence?

Use "stand in formation" to describe individuals or objects arranged in an organized or structured manner, such as "The soldiers "stand in formation" during the parade" or "The models "stand in formation" on the runway".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "stand in formation"?

Alternatives include "align in formation", "line up in formation", or "assemble in formation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "stand in formation" or "standing in formation"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""stand in formation"" typically refers to a general action or instruction, while "standing in formation" describes a current state or action in progress.

What is the difference between "stand in formation" and "stand at attention"?

"Stand in formation" describes the arrangement, while "stand at attention" describes the posture and readiness, often within that formation.