to be in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is waiting in a queue or to express agreement with a particular idea or plan. Example: "We need to be in line early to get good seats for the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Everything has to be in line".

Independent

"About 500 people pretended to be in line," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

This amendment appears to be in line with that".

The Guardian

We're going to be in line with everyone else".

The New York Times - Sports

Now, it looks to be in line for even more.

The New York Times

This appears to be in line with the Iranian press ignoring Morsi's criticism of Assad.

The Guardian

Future said it expected its full year results to be in line with market expectations.

The Guardian

And the good news is that it seems to be in line with King Abdullah's vision.

The Guardian - Opinion

The clauses passed today seem to be in line with that".

The Guardian

2013 results are on track to be in line with expectations, according to the statement.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, these observations appear to be in-line with the reported literature.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be in line" to mean 'in agreement', ensure the context clearly indicates alignment of ideas or plans. For example, 'The project's objectives need to be in line with the company's overall strategy.'

Common error

Avoid using "to be in line" when you mean to say something is available or happening on the internet. "Online" refers to internet access, while "to be in line" implies agreement or sequential order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in line" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a state of agreement, conformity, or sequential positioning. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used to indicate that something is consistent with a plan, policy, or expectation. Its usage spans various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be in line" is a versatile expression used to convey agreement, conformity, or sequential positioning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. It can mean 'to agree' or 'to be waiting in a queue'. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and context to avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "online". Alternatives include "to be in agreement" and "to be aligned with", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in agreement

Focuses more directly on the aspect of shared opinions or decisions.

to be in accordance

Emphasizes compliance with rules or standards.

to be aligned with

Highlights the aspect of being in a correct formation or arrangement.

to be consistent with

Suggests a lack of contradiction or variation.

to conform to

Stresses adherence to accepted practices or norms.

to comply with

Specifically denotes obedience to a command or law.

to be in conformity

Places emphasis on adhering to established standards and practices.

to be on track

Refers more specifically to progress toward a goal.

to be scheduled

Implies a planned or expected future event.

to be next in succession

Highlights the aspect of coming after another, usually in a predetermined order.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "to be in line" with something else?

When something is said "to be in line" with something else, it means that it is in agreement, consistent, or conforming to it. It can also refer to being in a queue or sequence.

How can I use "to be in line" in a sentence?

You can use "to be in line" to indicate agreement, such as, 'The proposal needs "to be in accordance" with the budget.' Or, to describe a sequence, as in, 'We need to "to get in line" to buy tickets.'

What's the difference between "to be in line" and "to be online"?

"To be in line" refers to being in a queue or to be in agreement. "To be online" refers to being connected to the internet. They have completely different meanings and contexts.

Are there any synonyms for "to be in line" when referring to agreement?

Yes, when "to be in line" refers to agreement, you can use synonyms like "to be in agreement", "to be aligned with", or "to be consistent with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.