still in line

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something or someone is continuing to stay in the same position or place. Example: After two hours of waiting, the commuters were still in line, waiting for the train.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

If we're still in line after an hour, we'll leave.

The Guardian - Tech

The caucus has officially begun, but people are still in line outside waiting to get in.

The New York Times

England trailed, 9-3, at halftime, which meant it was still in line for the championship.

The New York Times - Sports

At 10 p.m. writer's cramp set in, and she quit, disappointing those still in line.

The New York Times

Controversially, Hinkley Point new nuclear plant is still in line for 35 years of subsidy.

The Guardian

But the government's housing minister, Kris Hopkins, insisted the housing market was still in line with fundamentals.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They are still in-line skating and biking and playing volleyball.

The New York Times - Magazine

It may be early days but these results demonstrate the resilience of the Experian model and, although growth has slowed, it is still in-line with our expectations".

The Guardian - Business

Maybe that explains why Harris was still in-line skating into his late 70s before his family finally persuaded him to stop that activity after he took a spill.

The New York Times - Sports

Though below Morgan Stanley’s estimates, the chip company's $1.3 billion revenue was still in-line with consensus and increased 71%, year-over-year.

Forbes

She adds that Mightybell's mission of bringing people together around their interests, passions, and goals is still in-line with the new product.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still in line" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is continuing to wait or maintain a position in a sequence or queue. For example, "Even after an hour, many voters were still in line."

Common error

Avoid using "still in line" when referring to abstract concepts or situations where a literal queue doesn't exist. For instance, instead of saying "Their ideas are still in line with our goals" (which isn't incorrect but less common), opt for alternatives such as "Their ideas "remain consistent" with our goals" or "Their ideas "align with" our goals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still in line" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a continuing state of waiting or alignment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the condition of remaining in a queue or adhering to expectations, as seen in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still in line" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the continuing act of waiting in a queue or maintaining alignment with expectations. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While most frequently found in news and media contexts, it also appears in science and business domains. When writing, ensure you use "still in line" to describe literal queues or situations where something conforms to a standard or plan. If you are seeking to convey just the 'waiting' aspect, consider using terms like “still waiting”. Based on Ludwig's analysis, "still in line" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary, useful for conveying continuity and alignment in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the queue

A shorter alternative for being positioned within a line.

remaining in queue

Focuses specifically on the act of waiting in a physical line.

awaiting their turn

Focuses on the anticipation of one's turn in a sequence.

still waiting

Emphasizes the act of waiting, removing the specific context of a line.

continuing to wait

Stresses the ongoing nature of the waiting.

yet to be served

Highlights the unfulfilled expectation of service or attention.

holding their place

Highlights the act of maintaining a position.

keeping their spot

Similar to 'holding their place', with a slightly more informal tone.

not yet attended to

Highlights the lack of attention received so far.

remaining in contention

Shifts the context to remaining a competitor or candidate.

FAQs

What does "still in line" mean?

The phrase "still in line" generally means someone or something continues to wait in a physical line or queue. It can also mean remaining in contention or alignment with a plan or goal.

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

You can use "still in line" to describe a situation where people are waiting, such as: "Despite the long wait, many people were "still in line" to vote when the polls closed."

What's another way to say "still in line" when referring to a queue?

Alternatives to "still in line" in a physical queue could be "remaining in the queue", "still waiting", or "awaiting their turn".

How can I use "still in line" in a more abstract sense?

In a more abstract sense, "still in line" means something "remains consistent" or aligned. For example, "The company's profits are "still in line" with expectations."