there was a long queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "there was a long queue" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in any context where you want to describe a long line of people or things waiting for something. For example: "By the time I arrived at the store, there was already a long queue of customers waiting to enter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And there was a long queue for the horrible looking Eco-House.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was at 3pm and there was a long queue of traffic and he had a heck of a time trying to get out.

The Guardian

"There was a long queue, lots of people hustling and bustling to get tickets, offering to pay more – but my name was on the list," said Gardner, now 92.

The Guardian

A few years back, I asked a smartly dressed woman in the lobby why there was a long queue of gay men and teenage girls snaking its way out of the door.

The Guardian

Medics at the scene of the bombings said the majority of casualties were at the petrol station, where there was a long queue of motorists.

BBC

At one supermarket I went to, the shelves for bread were empty and there was a long queue of people waiting to get loaves being brought in hot from an adjoining bakery.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There's a long queue.

Independent

Manned, unless there's a long queue.

The Guardian - Tech

This morning, there is a long queue for the bathroom.

The Guardian

Outside the Accademia there is a long queue.

The Guardian - Arts

If you wait till spring, you'll find there's a long queue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "there was a long queue" to clearly indicate a significant wait time or high demand. For example, "There was a long queue for the new exhibit, so arrive early."

Common error

Avoid using "there was a long queue" when referring to something abstract or intangible. It's more suitable for physical lines of people or objects, not for concepts like "a long queue of problems."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was a long queue" functions as an existential clause, asserting the presence of a queue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various sources, showcasing its common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there was a long queue" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to describe a significant waiting line. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to inform about the existence of a queue, often implying a delay or high demand. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral registers and being used across diverse contexts like news, science, and formal business communications. Although Ludwig shows that it's not as prevalent as some other expressions, understanding its usage and context can greatly improve clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was a considerable line

Replaces "long" with "considerable" and "queue" with "line", altering word choice while retaining meaning.

a lengthy queue existed

Changes the sentence structure and replaces "was" with "existed", maintaining the core idea.

a substantial line was present

Substitutes "long" with "substantial" and "queue" with "line", also replacing "existed" with "was present."

many people were waiting in line

Shifts the focus to the people waiting, rather than the queue itself, providing a more active description.

a queue of considerable length formed

Rephrases to emphasize the formation of the queue, altering the sentence structure.

people were queued up for a long time

Emphasizes the duration of the waiting period, changing the focus slightly.

a long waiting line stretched out

Adds a visual element by describing the line as "stretching out", altering the descriptive quality.

a great number of individuals were lined up

Uses more formal language ("individuals" instead of "people") and changes the verb to "lined up".

the line of people was extensive

Focuses on the extensiveness of the line, rephrasing the sentence structure.

a large crowd was queuing

Uses "crowd" instead of explicitly mentioning a queue, altering the focus slightly while conveying a similar meaning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there was a long queue"?

You can use alternatives like "there was a considerable line", "a lengthy queue existed", or "many people were waiting in line" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there was a long queue"?

Yes, "there was a long queue" is grammatically correct. The structure follows standard English grammar rules for expressing existence or occurrence.

What is the difference between "there was a long queue" and "there was a long line"?

While "queue" and "line" are often interchangeable, "queue" is more common in British English, while "line" is more common in American English. The meaning is essentially the same.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "there was a long queue"?

It is appropriate to use "there was a long queue" when describing a situation where many people or items are waiting in an ordered sequence for something, such as a service, an event, or an entrance.