there was no queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was no queue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where people are not waiting in line for something, such as at a store or event. Example: "When I arrived at the coffee shop early in the morning, I was pleased to see that there was no queue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There was no queue.

Independent

There were three tills, but as the warehouse was empty bar me, there was no queue.

The Guardian - Money

There was no queue and he was in a talkative mood.

The Guardian - Sport

While there was no queue outside in the early morning, Cristofoli said he was not concerned and still expected to ring up more sales than last year.

The Guardian - Business

The ice rink is on the "first floor" (just a sixth of the way up), and since there was no queue for the stairs, I suggested walking.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite it being a powder day, and one of the best spots on the mountain, there was no queue when I headed out to put it to the test – an unimaginable scenario in a more well-known freeride resort, such as Chamonix or even nearby St Anton.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The organisation was terrible, despite the obvious disruption to thousands of BA passengers; there was no queuing system, no information leaflets and only two customer service representatives.

The Guardian

There is no queue".

The New York Times

"Believe me, there is no queue".

The Guardian - Music

"There is no queue out of the euro," he said in Brussels.

The New York Times

If they make mistakes, there is no queue of investors asking them what went wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where a queue might be expected but isn't present, "there was no queue" effectively highlights the unexpected lack of waiting.

Common error

While alternatives like "there was no line" are acceptable, "there was no queue" may be preferred in more formal writing or when specifically referring to an ordered waiting system. Be aware of the context and audience to choose the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was no queue" functions as an assertion or statement indicating the absence of a waiting line. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there was no queue" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the absence of a waiting line. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suitability across various contexts. While alternatives like "there was no line" exist, "there was no queue" remains a clear and effective way to convey this meaning. Its usage spans from news reports to scientific publications, making it a versatile option for different writing needs. Remember to select the most appropriate synonym based on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there wasn't a line

Replaces "was no queue" with the synonym "wasn't a line"

there was no line

Simplifies the phrase by removing "queue"

there was no waiting line

Adds "waiting" before "line" for emphasis.

the queue was nonexistent

Replaces "there was no queue" with "the queue was nonexistent"

there was no line-up

Substitutes "queue" with "line-up", a synonym.

there weren't any queues

Changes to the plural form of "queue" and uses "weren't any".

no queue was present

Changes the sentence structure using "was present"

a queue was not present

Rearranges the sentence and uses "was not present"

nobody was waiting

Indicates the absence of a queue by stating that no one was waiting

undefined

Highlights that waiting wasn't required.

FAQs

What does "there was no queue" mean?

The phrase "there was no queue" means that there was no line of people waiting for something. It indicates the absence of a waiting system or crowd.

What can I say instead of "there was no queue"?

You can use alternatives like "there was no line", "there was no waiting", or "nobody was waiting" depending on the context.

Is "there was no queue" formal or informal?

The phrase "there was no queue" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal situations, simpler alternatives like "no line" might be preferred.

Can I use "there were no queues" instead of "there was no queue"?

Yes, "there were no queues" is the plural form and is appropriate when referring to multiple potential waiting lines or situations where queues could have formed in different locations. The singular form, "there was no queue", is used when referring to a specific instance.