Meaning:- Ever since the beginning of a project; at every stage in a process; at ever point or moment; all the time
Example sentence:
While writing the thesis, he made mistakes all along the line.
Questions for you to answer:
- When you go to an interesting lecture or a seminar, do you take notes all along the line or do you just listen and enjoy?
- Have you ever participated in a project that suffered from financial problems all along the line but finally succeeded?
- Do you have friends that have helped you all along the line since you got to know them?
- Do you remember a situation or a period when everything went badly all along the line?
Hi Hana! I was wondering if I could use this idiom in a present tense? Like for example: I know he's thinking of me all along the line. Can I use it as a replacement for "all the time" like this? I'm asking this because I've only seen it appear in a past tense for some reason..
ReplyDeleteHello. This is a very good question. There is no reason why you couldn't use this idiom in the present tense, especially when you talk about a process. This 'line' usually refers to the course of a situation or activity with a beginning and an end. For example, you can say: When making sushi, I follow the instructions all along the line because I can never remember the steps. Or: You must be prepared all along the line during the interview (meaning at every moment of the interview). But yes, as some corpora reveal, this idiom is more often used when referring to a past event (When I was at university, my parents supported me all along the line). I'd say you can often substitute 'all the time' with 'all along the line' but I'm not sure about the example you've come up with. I'd probably use 'all the time' provided there is no context indicating process or the course of a situation (such as 'I know he's thinking of me all along the line now when he's working on the project').
ReplyDeleteThank you for your answer! That clarifies a lot. My example was pretty bad but.. Does it work in this concept: "Running away from those people got a lot easier with time. There must have been someone praying for me all along the line." The main character "me" is here at a point where running away from "those people" has ended. Do you think it's okay like this or should I change it somehow?
ReplyDeleteThis is a very advanced question. I think it's perfectly OK to use 'all along the line' in this sense if you mean that somebody prayed for you at every moment of the period while 'you' were running away. However, you should also take into consideration who you are writing for. This idiom originated in America and the 'line' referred to rows of troops, so it will be more relevant for American audience. People from other parts of the English speaking world may sometimes find it ambiguous.
ReplyDeleteOkay good that is exactly what I mean. I write music, prose and other short stories but I'm not a native speaker so these idioms can be tricky.. I haven't really "chosen my audience" for that matter although this story takes place in America. I know it might be ambiguous but as talking about a form of art I hope it's somehow understandable for all English speaking world.
ReplyDeleteOh,I see. Then I'd say that the lines of the verse are perfect. I wouldn't change anything. Good luck with your music!
ReplyDeleteThanks a million! That gives me a peace of mind :)
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