was in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone waiting in a queue or to indicate that something is in accordance with a standard or expectation. Example: "She was in line at the grocery store when she realized she forgot her wallet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No one was in line.

The New York Times - Travel

That was in line with analyst estimates.

The New York Times

Because no one was in line.

The New York Times

It was in line with previous projections.

The Washington Post

The rise was in line with expectations.

The New York Times

The decision was in line with expectations.

The New York Times

September's decline was in line with expectations.

The New York Times

That was in line with analysts' expectations.

The New York Times

Steve Shane was in line, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Excluding this catch up revenue was in-line.

The Guardian - Business

That number was in-line with what analysts had expected.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was in line" when describing someone physically waiting in a queue or when indicating that something aligns with expectations or standards. Consider the context to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was in line" when a more specific term is appropriate. For example, instead of "the results were in line", consider "the results aligned with expectations" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in line" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of being either physically positioned in a queue or conforming to a set of expectations. Ludwig examples show its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was in line" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe being physically queued or conforming to expectations. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Analysis of numerous examples shows it frequently appears in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian employing it regularly. While it is important to choose a specific phrase in certain contexts. Alternatives like "aligned with", "consistent with", or "conformed to", offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was queuing

Replaces the phrase with a single verb emphasizing the act of waiting in a queue.

was waiting in line

Adds emphasis to the action of waiting while being in a queue.

aligned with

Indicates agreement or correspondence with a plan, idea or set of principles.

conformed to

Shifts the meaning towards adherence to a standard or expectation.

was consistent with

Highlights the uniformity and predictability of something being in agreement with something else.

complied with

Similar to "conformed to", but implies obedience to rules or regulations.

was in accordance with

Formally states that something is in agreement with a rule, law, or principle.

was congruent with

Emphasizes that something is fitting or appropriate with something else.

matched

Short and direct, indicating that something was in agreement with something else.

was parallel to

Suggests similarity or correspondence in direction or tendency.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "was in line"?

The phrase "was in line" can mean that someone was physically standing and waiting in a queue. It can also mean that something was in accordance with expectations or standards.

How can I use "was in line" in a sentence?

You can say, "She "was in line" at the grocery store" (physical queue) or "The earnings report "was in line" with analysts' estimates" (meeting expectations).

What are some alternatives to saying something "was in line" with expectations?

Consider using phrases like "aligned with", "consistent with", or "conformed to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "was in line with" and "aligned with"?

"Was in line with" often suggests a general agreement or correspondence, while "aligned with" might imply a more intentional or strategic agreement. The best choice depends on the context.