expressions: 'to stand in a queue' vs. 'stand in line' vs. 'stand in a line'

[Yankee]

Hi Alex

The point I've tried to make is that it is possible to use 'stand in line' and 'stand in a line' for the same situation (in AmE). The wording and/or context will influence the choice of words. Or, it might simply reflect the way the author is looking at things. However, 'stand in line' also suggests the preexistence of a line of people in a given situation.

If I say "I had to stand in line for an hour and a half to buy the ticket", that suggests that the line/queue existed before my arrival. So, when I arrived to buy my ticket, I simply joined the existing line of people. (Hopefully I joined that line at the end, and didn't butt in front of anyone. :lol:) So, you might look at 'stand in line' in this context as meaning something like 'participate in a line' or simply 'be in a line'.

To me, using 'stand in a line' in the test sentence is just as logical as 'stand in a queue'. Using 'stand in a line' suggests 'queue up' or 'form a line' in the context. That's because the sentence basically says that a line is formed only when there are a lot of people. So, at a bus stop, the first few people who arrive probably just mill around. There is no line. As the crowd grows, the people form a line -- i.e. they line up and then stand in the line that they've formed. :D
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[Nessie]

So "stand in line" is completely correct in British English, "stand in queue" and "stand in a queue" are not used in American English, "stand in a queue" is right in British English, and "stand in a line" is...?
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:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie
I'll give it another try. However, since I'm not a native speaker of BE, the part about BE might not be accurate.

In AmE, the following are possible:
- to line up
- to stand in line
- to stand in a line

In BE, the following are possible:
- to queue up
- to queue
- to stand in a queue

As far as I know, nobody says 'stand in queue'.

As far as I know, if a Brit uses 'stand in a line', then it would have a more general sense of 'stand in a row', and not the sense of 'standing in a queue and waiting your turn'.

[Nessie]

Thank you very much, dear Amy.
By the way, may I have idea of some native speaker of BE please?

Many thanks
Nessie :)
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hello Torsten and Alan,

We've still got some questions here struggling to be answered here.

I think this test question needs to be altered. I think I've already been pretty elaborate with my explanations why -- both here AND in the Errors in the Tests thread.
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[Yankee]

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There must be some lengthy behind-the-scenes debate going on. :wink:
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[Yankee]

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Apparently it is either far too difficult for a Brit to comprehend the American usage of the word 'line', or the author of the test simply doesn't what to know that a difference in usage exists.

The so-called "error" in this test is not an error in American English.
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[Torsten]

Amy, after all your posts I understand that there is a fixed expression in American English "to stand in line" which means "to wait for something in a queue". The other expression, "to stand in a line" is not fixed and can mean different things depending on the context. Is that correct?
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Yankee]

I'll repeat some of what I've already written (with some added highlighting):

[Billybob]

How do americans express IT functions e.g. "Data is handled at the server according to a queue"? Obviously server data can't stand in line, so there must be another way to express this.

[Yankee]

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I believe the word 'queue' is used pretty universally in an IT context.

On the other hand, do you think it's obvious that data would actually "stand" in a queue? :wink:
I'm not so sure that the choices techies make about English usage are necessarily obvious. After all, until techies started fiddling with English, I'd always thought that "cookies" were edible goodies -- things you might also dunk in a glass of milk. :lol:
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[Lost_Soul]

Yeah, in IT the word Queue is very widespread, ubiquitous I'd say.
But anyway, no matter where you stand - in line or in a queue, it's totally uncool :) you're whittling away your precious time (unless you're a mighty bully and can but in in front of everyone)

[Yankee]

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No ifs, ands or buts about it: You should have written "butt in", Alex. :D
So, just how big a butt does it take to butt into a line? And are there any butts in the world of IT? :lol:
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[Lost_Soul]

Surely, I should've ! :lol:
Also I think not only does it take a big butt but it also takes guts to make such a maneuver ;) (I've never done that actually)

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten and Alan

Have you two decided to designate this test question a "British English only" question? :?:
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