standing in queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "standing in queue" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of waiting in line for something, such as a service or an event. Example: "We spent over an hour standing in queue to buy tickets for the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three times I have to stand in queue, so my entire day time is spent standing in queues.

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

Life used to have natural pauses; standing in queues, riding the Tube, lying awake in bed.

Independent

It fondly depicted archetypal British traits like dullness, patience in standing in queues, and enthusiasm for gardening and detective fiction.

The New York Times - Books

To avoid standing in queues and missing your favourite band remember to bring a backpack and a Platypus hydration container to fill with whatever liquid you may choose.

Independent

In snowsports, however, much of the day is spent standing in queues and sitting on chairlifts, and at those times it's important to conserve body heat.

Independent

"We need to keep pushing ahead [with hiring security staff] because it is very clear that too many passengers are still standing in queues".

The Guardian - Business

Emergency workers in Rome hand out water to people standing in queues outside museums and galleries or waiting in the sun to catch their bus.

The Guardian

Agnieszka Grochowska, who plays Danuta in the movie, told the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza that Mrs. Walesa symbolizes women of her era, "standing in queues and washing clothes by hand".

The New York Times - Arts

Individual tragedies abound, with children not being fed, an inability to buy medicines for the sick, and, it is being reported, more than two dozen people dying while standing in queues, or being unable to pay for hospitals and medicines with the old money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Faceless indifference, the crushing boredom of standing in queues or waiting to be called, and the brutalities of efficiency seen as an end in itself – bureaucracy is often deployed as a synonym for the very worst gifts of modernity, and serves as the aggregate antagonist of the heroes of, among many others, Kafka and Orwell.

The Guardian - Books

"A suicide bomber riding an explosives-laden motorcycle hit the Nadra office in Mardan where a large number of people were standing in queues," police officer Naeem Khan said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider your audience. In American English, use "standing in line" rather than "standing in queue" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cue" instead of "queue". "Cue" refers to a signal, while "queue" refers to a line of people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "standing in queue" functions as a present participle phrase, modifying an implied subject. While Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct, its actual usage is more common in British English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "standing in queue" is grammatically correct, but its usage is more common in British English. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of waiting in a line, and it typically appears in neutral contexts. While "standing in queue" may be perfectly acceptable, consider using "standing in line" for broader clarity, especially when communicating with an international audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting in a queue

Adds the article 'a' for grammatical clarity.

waiting in line

Replaces 'queue' with 'line', a more common term in American English.

standing in line

Substitutes 'queue' with the more common synonym 'line'.

queuing up

Uses the verb form of 'queue', implying the action of joining a queue.

lining up

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

in a queue

Indicates the state of being positioned within the queue.

being in the queue

Emphasizes the experience of being part of the queue.

in line

Simple substitute for "in a queue".

awaiting in the queue

This expression indicates the act of awaiting in the queue.

staying in the line

This expression indicates the action of staying in the line.

FAQs

What's the difference between "standing in queue" and "standing in line"?

"Standing in queue" is more common in British English, while "standing in line" is more prevalent in American English. Both phrases refer to waiting in a sequence.

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

Yes, "standing in queue" is grammatically correct. However, its usage is more common in British English. In American English, "standing in line" is preferred.

How can I avoid long queues?

To minimize time "standing in queue", try visiting during off-peak hours, using online services when available, or taking advantage of reservation systems.

What are some alternative ways to describe waiting in a queue?

Besides "standing in queue", you can use phrases like "waiting in line", "queuing up", or simply "lining up" to describe the act of waiting.