Difference between line, row, file and queue

Status
Not open for further replies.

thtm

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
I've got a multiple choice question:
We had to wait in a __________ in the post office for over ten minutes.
A. line B. row C. file D. queue
The key is D. queue but why isn't it 'line', 'row' or 'file'? Could you please help me differentiate between them?
Many thanks.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
We never say "wait in a file" or "wait in a row". If we are standing, one person behind another waiting for something (in this case, waiting to reach the counter at the Post Office"), then in BrE, we are waiting "in a queue" and in AmE, we are waiting "in line". Note that the AmE version does not use the indefinite article so could not be correct in your exercise. Of those choices, the only one which can go after "in a" is "queue".
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Welcome to the forums.:-D

It's not a good question.

In British English, a queue is what people are said to join when waiting their turn to be served.

Most speakers of American English would say 'We had to wait in line in the post office', but might just accept 'We had to wait in a line...'

'Row' and 'file' are not used in this context.

Rover

[EDIT: It must have taken me seven minutes to write that!]
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Welcome to the forums.:-D

It's not a good question.

In British English, a queue is what people are said to join when waiting their turn to be served.

Most speakers of American English would say 'We had to wait in line in the post office', but might just accept 'We had to wait in a line...'

'Row' and 'file' are not used in this context.

Rover

[EDIT: It must have taken me seven minutes to write that!]

I agree, Rover. In AmE, we use both "in line" and "in a line".
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top