waiting in the queue

USAGE SUMMARY

"waiting in the queue" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the act of standing in line and waiting for one's turn. Example: "I arrived at the bank at 9am and spent the next hour waiting in the queue to deposit my check."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I've been accosted in clubs, standing outside pubs, waiting in the queue at the supermarket.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's annoying," says one worker waiting in the queue to leave, "especially after a nine-hour shift".

The Guardian - Business

A woman waiting in the queue interrupted with her own view: "Everything is too expensive in this country".

The Guardian - Business

Last week, I was waiting in the queue at the butcher while an elderly lady was being served.

The Guardian - Business

I remember waiting in the queue for the payphone at uni which was separated from the corridor by a few bits of hardboard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Naples last November the show was so popular that a man who was supposed to be under house arrest was caught waiting in the queue.

The Economist

Waiting in the queue for pljaskavica from a fast food stand is truly meeting and sharing an experience with people from Belgrade and Serbia.

The Guardian

By 3am there were a couple of hundred waiting in the queue outside the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, east London.

The Guardian - Business

Some waiting in the queue at The Shelter dispensary were long-time smokers, come to get their first taste of legal weed; others simply wanted to witness a historic moment.

Independent

With hundreds claiming innocence waiting in the queue to have their case considered by the CCRC and legal aid for appeals difficult to obtain, it appears the light that shone two decades ago has been well and truly switched off.

The Guardian

His most "frightening moment" was when two women tried to set light to his overalls – apparently as a joke – while he was waiting in the queue at the company canteen.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. Use "waiting in the queue" when you want to specifically emphasize the physical act of being in a line, versus simply "waiting".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "queue" with "cue". "Queue" refers to a line of people or things, while "cue" is a signal or prompt. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting in the queue" functions as a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier, describing the circumstance or location where an action occurs. It adds detail to verbs of action or being, specifying that the subject is in the process of waiting their turn in a line.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waiting in the queue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of standing in line for one's turn. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is versatile, fitting into various contexts from news reports to scientific papers. While synonyms such as "standing in line" and "queuing up" exist, "waiting in the queue" specifically emphasizes the orderly nature of the wait. A key point to remember is the distinction between "queue" (a line) and "cue" (a signal), ensuring accurate word choice in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standing in line

This alternative focuses on the physical action of standing while waiting.

in the waiting line

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the line itself as the location of waiting.

queuing up

A more concise, verb-focused way to describe the action of joining a queue.

in line

A shortened version that still conveys the same meaning of waiting in a sequence.

awaiting one's turn

Focuses on the expectation of a turn, rather than the physical act of waiting in line.

on standby

Implies readiness and expectation of being called upon, similar to waiting.

in the process of waiting

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the waiting activity.

held up in the queue

This phrase emphasizes the potential negative aspect of delays and blockage when waiting.

remaining in the queue

This emphasizes the state of staying in the queue, despite potential delays or difficulties.

lodged in the queue

This phrase highlights the feeling of being stuck within the waiting line or process.

FAQs

What does "waiting in the queue" mean?

It means standing in a line and waiting for your turn to be served or processed, typically in a shop, bank, or other service setting.

What can I say instead of "waiting in the queue"?

You can use alternatives like "standing in line", "queuing up", or simply "in line" depending on the context.

Is "waiting in line" the same as "waiting in the queue"?

Yes, "waiting in line" and "waiting in the queue" are essentially synonymous. "Queue" is more common in British English, while "line" is more common in American English.

How do I use "waiting in the queue" in a sentence?

For example, "I spent an hour waiting in the queue at the post office" or "People were waiting in the queue to buy the new product."