standing in line vs standing in the queue

Both 'standing in line' and 'standing in the queue' are correct phrases, but their usage depends on the regional variations of English. 'Standing in line' is more commonly used in American English, while 'standing in the queue' is more common in British English. The choice between the two phrases should be based on the English variant you are using.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 531 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in American English.

"standing in line"

This phrase is commonly used in American English to describe waiting in a line of people.

Examples:

I was standing in line at the grocery store.
We spent hours standing in line for concert tickets.
Please wait your turn while standing in line.
The children were standing in line to go to the playground.
She was tired of standing in line at the bank.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tell that to all the people standing in line.
15 civilians standing in line, picking their noses, waiting to take a shower.
You don't know what it's like to be standing in line at the bank and hear the guy behind you thinking about how he wants to suck your toes. Ew.
Skip the Line Save hours without standing in line, with our tickets you have priority access!
I was standing in line at this food truck, and I got this awesome idea.
No way I'm standing in line for it.
Please, have your declaration form and I-94 filled out before standing in line.
I was standing in line for ice cream, somebody cut in front of me...
It just proves that one moment you can be standing in line, trying to get a salted pretzel, and the next you're choking on your own blood.
In the music video The Calling is performing outside while a bunch of people are standing in line taking turns "singing" a duet with Alex Band.
She was standing in line at The Cheesecake Factory one day and boom.
I was standing in line in the doughnut shop.
I was standing in line to buy my copy of the biggest Virtual-reality game in history.
To me, they looked like 200 people standing in line at the pharmacy.
It is incredible - Galoppi stated- to see the enthusiasm of the Japanese public standing in line, since the very first screening.
I got a hundred guys standing in line that are just like you,
I check the guy standing in line behind me... if it's not him, that's pretty much all I can do.
Young mothers were standing in line... to get some food... as there'd been a severe drought in Niger in '73.
So there I am, standing in line for this cattle call, and I run into Coriolanus Burt.
Now they are all standing in line to take their picture with King Kong, the hairless, pale and skinny version of it. Surprised and fairly shocked I undergo this torture with a couple of ladies.

Alternatives:

waiting in line
queuing up
lining up
standing in a line
waiting in a queue

This phrase is correct and commonly used in British English.

"standing in the queue"

This phrase is commonly used in British English to describe waiting in a line of people.

Examples:

We were standing in the queue for the bus.
She spent hours standing in the queue at the post office.
Please join the queue if you want to be served.
The customers were standing in the queue to pay for their items.
He was at the back of the queue.

Show examples from the web [+]

standing in the queue
I'm too weak to be standing in the queue.
If you are passionate about art, we also recommend you to book one of our tours that include skip the line tickets so you can be sure you will not waste time standing in the queue.
Standing in the queue, being sometimes you get violent.
Your park entrance fees are included - your tickets will be provided by your tour guide to save you from standing in the queue at the cashier... No other Private Tour providers cover entrance fees to Muir Woods National Monument.
Try telling that to the old dear standing next to you in the queue in the supermarket.
A short walk to the Sagrada Familia... (Ticket order online works no... standing in queue fine,!).
Somebody saw many people standing in a queue waiting their turn and thought that there must be something rare.
Even when I'm standing in a bus queue...
If you choose not to purchase your Sagrada Família tickets in advance then it's best to be prepared for standing in a queue.
This means that even after standing in a long queue for hours you could be further delayed while the Basilica empties to a safe number of visitors.
We can actually meditate anywhere, once we become a little bit proficient at it - on the train, anywhere, standing in a queue.
Water drunk two Baniak. Go to the toilet, the shower is a real expedition, then standing in queues and finish is not always successful because maybe expended water.
The common man, who does not understand the complex formulae that govern the economy, was happy despite the problems he faced while standing in long queues to get the money exchanged.
There's a lot to see and do in Bournemouth. So don't waste time standing in queues, buy your travel passes and attraction tickets online!
There's nothing worse than standing in a ticket queue for an hour whilst your favourite band are playing, before being told that you were in the wrong queue all along!
This could be when waiting for someone or standing idle in a queue.
Ask us to reserve your visits to the most important museums; Galleria degli Uffizi, Accademia, Medici Chapels. We'll be happy to help you organise these visits because without a reservation you'll waste a lot of time standing in long queues!
Raider II (Grace for drowning)Bis:12.Get all you deserve (Insurgentes)Shortly after 7 and the audience standing tidily in a queue outside of the Alcatraz.
Shortly after 7 and the audience standing tidily in a queue outside of the on the first tour date in London, at which I was so lucky to have been, there are all kinds of people of all ages.
I remember the queues of men standing waiting for a haircut.

Alternatives:

waiting in the queue
queuing up
lining up
standing in a queue
waiting in line

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standing in line vs standing in the queue

"standing in line"

"standing in the queue"

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