stand in line

USAGE SUMMARY

'stand in line' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to the act of waiting in an orderly queue to be served or for something to happen. For example, "The line for tickets was long, so I had to stand in line for over an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People do stand in line just for the sake of standing in line.

The New York Times

* Don't stand in line.

The New York Times

But they do stand in line".

The New York Times

"They stand in line and wait".

The New York Times

"You usually had to stand in line.

The New York Times

And nobody will want to stand in line.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Checkers used to stand in line to use it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Who then will dare to stand in line?

The Economist

Four finished houses, complete with driveways, stand in line.

The Economist

It was wonderful to watch people stand in line.

The New York Times

So it's still a bit early to stand in line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand in line" when you want to emphasize the physical act of waiting in a queue. It's a straightforward and universally understood expression.

Common error

Remember that while some regional dialects might say "on line", the generally accepted and more widely understood phrase is "in line" when referring to physically waiting in a queue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand in line" functions as a verb phrase describing the act of waiting in a queue. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, highlighting its role in everyday communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stand in line" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of waiting in a queue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it is essential to remember that "in line" is the standard preposition. Related phrases such as "wait in queue" or "line up" offer alternative ways to express the same idea. Understanding its usage helps ensure clear and effective communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait in queue

Replaces "line" with "queue", a synonym often used in British English.

line up

Uses a phrasal verb that is nearly synonymous but slightly more informal.

queue up

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the action of forming a line.

be in a queue

States the condition of already being part of a line.

join the queue

Emphasizes the act of becoming part of an existing line.

wait one's turn

Focuses on the concept of waiting for the appropriate time to be served or to act.

await one's turn

A more formal way of saying "wait one's turn".

form a line

Highlights the action of creating a line.

take a number

Describes a system of waiting where individuals are assigned a number to determine their place in the queue.

hold your place

Implies maintaining a position in an existing line.

FAQs

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

You can use "stand in line" to describe the act of physically waiting in a queue, such as "I had to stand in line for hours to get concert tickets".

What's another way to say "stand in line"?

Alternatives to "stand in line" include "wait in queue", "queue up", or "line up".

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

While some regional dialects might use "stand on line", the standard and more widely accepted phrase is "stand in line".

In what situations would I use "wait one's turn" instead of "stand in line"?

"Wait one's turn" is more appropriate when emphasizing the concept of waiting for an opportunity rather than the physical act of queuing. For example, "After you "wait your turn", you can present your findings".