stood in line

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood in line" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of waiting in a queue or a line of people. Example: I stood in line for over an hour to get tickets to the concert. Note: "stood on line" is also used in some dialects and regions, but "stood in line" is generally more common and accepted in written English.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I stood in line.

The New Yorker

Americans stood in line.

The New York Times

He stood in line to buy her horse meat.

The New Yorker

Others stood in line for hours to get open slots.

The New York Times

Very briefly, we stood in line for food stamps.

The New York Times - Magazine

He certainly has stood in line and deserves his chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Many stood in line outside waiting to get in.

The New York Times - Travel

I stood in line and watched the Sunday bustle.

The New Yorker

Construction workers stood in line with drills in their hands.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But they do stand in line".

The New York Times

* Don't stand in line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events where people wait for a service or opportunity, use "stood in line" to clearly convey the sense of order and patience.

Common error

Be mindful of context when using "stood in line". While it generally means waiting in a queue, ensure the situation doesn't imply something else, such as "stood still" or "stood firm", which have different connotations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood in line" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of waiting in a queue or orderly sequence. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stood in line" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of waiting in a queue or orderly sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While alternatives like "waited in queue" or "lined up" exist, "stood in line" clearly conveys the sense of organized waiting. Remember to ensure the context doesn't lead to ambiguity with other meanings, and use it confidently to describe situations where individuals await their turn.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lined up

A shortened version of "stood in line".

waited in queue

Emphasizes the act of waiting, specifically in a queue.

queued up

A more concise and informal way to say waited in line.

was in a queue

States the condition of being part of a waiting line.

waited one's turn

Highlights the aspect of awaiting an opportunity in a sequence.

joined the queue

Focuses on the action of becoming part of an existing line.

took one's place in line

Highlights the act of assuming a position in a queue.

formed a queue

Describes the action of creating a line or waiting formation.

waited in sequence

Emphasizes the orderly arrangement of waiting.

joined the waiting list

Implies a more formal or structured waiting system.

FAQs

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

You can use "stood in line" to describe waiting in a queue. For example, "I "stood in line" for hours to get concert tickets".

What is a synonym for "stood in line"?

A synonym for "stood in line" is "waited in queue", which also implies waiting in a sequence or order.

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

While "stood on line" is used in some regions, "stood in line" is generally considered more standard and widely accepted.

What's the difference between "stood in line" and "waited one's turn"?

"Stood in line" emphasizes the physical act of being in a queue, whereas "waited one's turn" emphasizes the anticipation of an opportunity in a sequence.