top of the queue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top of the queue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that is at the front of a line or ahead of all other competitors and is thus in a more advantageous position. For example, "Steve is at the top of the queue when it comes to job promotions in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Lately I have felt a need for escapism, so I moved "Pan's Labyrinth" to the top of the queue.

The New Yorker

And, having got to the top of the queue, will the Japanese-German combination get the go-ahead from the competition authorities?

The Economist

He said the special server's purpose was to allow Private Manning's submissions to "be bumped to the top of the queue for review".

The New York Times

The reality is that who gets housed is prioritised by need, with the most desperate cases jumping to the top of the queue.

The Guardian

"Those that were deemed compliant would go to the top of the queue for money", she said, adding "that way you build a positive advantage to being compliant.

The Guardian

Reports during the 2000 elections claimed that Bush and his father pulled strings to get him to the top of the queue.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They put it at the top of the franchising queue ahead of the general election.

The Guardian - Business

We're sending it to the top of the Netflix queue now!

The New York Times

To consider the possibility that not every nuance in this never-ending election cycle is worth pushing to the top of the news queue.

The Washington Post

Pregnant women and families with children, or vulnerable individuals such as care leavers or people with severe health problems who are accepted as homeless currently go to the top of the local queue for social housing.

The Guardian

The algorithm then loops back, processing the next vertex at the top of the priority queue.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "top of the queue" to clearly indicate priority or preferential treatment within a structured system. Ensure the context implies an ordered sequence or list.

Common error

Avoid using "top of the queue" when there isn't a clear sequential order or list. It's not suitable for situations where prioritization is based on ad-hoc or unstructured criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top of the queue" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the state of being first or most important in a sequence or list, signaling priority or precedence, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "top of the queue" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies being in a prioritized or advantageous position, according to Ludwig AI. It is widely used in News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility across various contexts. The phrase is grammatically correct and serves to communicate that something or someone will be addressed before others. While "top of the queue" is frequently employed, users should ensure its application is fitting, denoting that there is in fact a clear sequence. Alternatives like "front of the line" or "highest priority" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the front of the line

Focuses on the physical ordering and position.

first in line

Similar to "at the front of the line" but more informal.

in a leading position

Emphasizes being ahead in a competition or ranking.

highest priority

Highlights the urgency or importance of something.

given precedence

Indicates that something is favored over others.

leading the pack

Suggests being ahead of competitors in a race or other endeavor.

in the forefront

Highlights being at the front or center of attention or activity.

in pole position

Evokes a racing metaphor, indicating a leading start.

advanced in rank

Suggests a formal promotion or advancement.

placed at the helm

Implies leadership or control.

FAQs

How can I use "top of the queue" in a sentence?

You can use "top of the queue" to indicate that someone or something is given priority or is in the most advantageous position. For example: "Emergency cases are automatically moved to the "top of the queue" for immediate treatment."

What's a more formal alternative to "top of the queue"?

A more formal alternative could be "highest priority" or "given precedence". These options are suitable for professional and academic contexts where a more sophisticated tone is preferred.

Is it correct to say "on the top of the queue"?

No, the correct phrase is "top of the queue". The preposition "on" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "front of the line" and "top of the queue"?

"Front of the line" typically refers to a physical queue or line, while "top of the queue" can refer to a more abstract queue, like a list of tasks or priorities. Both imply being in a leading position.