Cue vs Queue
What’s the difference between them?
Cue
Meaning:
A cue is a signal or prompt to do something, either spoken or acted out. It can also refer to an indication or hint of something to come.
Examples:
1. He waited for his cue to start speaking.
2. I gave him a cue to start singing.
3. The music was his cue to start dancing.
Queue
Meaning:
Queue is a line of people, typically standing or in cars, waiting for something, especially to be attended to or to proceed.
Examples:
1. We had to queue up for hours just to get into the amusement park.
2. The queue of people waiting to enter the theatre was quite long.
3. I queued up to get my lunch from the cafeteria.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cue
1. Indication
2. Sign
3. Stimulus
4. Prompt
5. Reminder
1. Avoid
2. Deter
3. Refrain
4. Disregard
5. Neglect
Queue
1. Line
2. Wait
3. Stand in line
4. Congregation
5. Array
1. Scatter
2. Rush
3. Disperse
4. Flee
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Cue", "Queue".
1. Mnemonic phrase: A 'cue' is a signal or suggestion, while a 'queue' is a line.
2. To remember the distinction between cue and queue, think of the spelling of queue: it has a 'Q', which looks like the line you might form while waiting in a queue.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'Cue' be used?
The word 'Cue' is typically used to describe an indication, signal, or reminder that prompts someone to take action. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as providing a cue to begin a presentation, or a cue for an actor to enter the stage.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'Queue'?
The word 'Queue' is used to describe a line of people or vehicles waiting their turn to be attended to. It can be used in situations such as a line at a bank, or a line at a store, but also in a virtual sense, such as a queue of items waiting to be processed.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using the wrong one of the two words, either using 'Queue' in place of 'Cue', or vice vers
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. We had to _______ up for tickets at the theatre.
2. When I arrived at the café there was a long _______ of people waiting to be served.
3. I had to _______ my turn to speak at the meeting.
4. I _______ up at the bank to withdraw some money.
5. Please _______ up in a single line at the checkout.
6. We _______ed up for the roller coaster ride.
1. Cue
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to prepare or to get ready, in this case to prepare by lining up to get tickets at the theatre.
2. Queue
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to form a line or a waiting line, in this case to form a line of people waiting to be served at the café.
3. Cue
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to indicate or signal, in this case to signal or indicate that it was my turn to speak at the meeting.
4. Queued
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to form a line or a waiting line, in this case to form a line at the bank to withdraw some money.
5. Queue
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to form a line or a waiting line, in this case to form a single line at the checkout.
6. Queued
Explanation: This is the correct word to fill the gap as it means to form a line or a waiting line, in this case to form a line for the roller coaster ride.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.