ahead of him

USAGE SUMMARY

"ahead of him" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that someone or something is in front of or progressing before someone else. It can be used in various contexts, but some examples include: 1. The marathon runner looked ahead of him and saw the finish line in the distance. 2. The teacher pointed to the map and said, "The school is just ahead of us on the right." 3. The CEO had a clear vision and always tried to stay ahead of his competitors. 4. As they walked through the forest, the hiker noticed a bear walking ahead of him on the path. 5. The student knew he had to work hard to stay ahead of his classmates and get into a top university.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had a "great future ahead of him", she said.

BBC

Mr. Doyle is way ahead of him.

The New York Times

Developments have accelerated way ahead of him.

The New Yorker

The moment's just ahead of him.

The New Yorker

No one else was ahead of him".

The New York Times

We looked ahead of him.

The New York Times - Sports

He had everything ahead of him".

The New York Times

Osgood was one step ahead of him.

The New York Times - Sports

"He has so much ahead of him.

The New York Times - Sports

"His best tennis is ahead of him.

The New York Times - Sports

He ushered her out ahead of him.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ahead of him", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical position, progress, or a metaphorical advantage. For example, "The runner was ahead of him" (physical) vs. "His career was ahead of him" (metaphorical).

Common error

Avoid using "ahead of him" when the intended meaning is simply 'in front of him' without any implication of progress or advantage. In such cases, 'in front of him' is more direct and less ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ahead of him" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate location, progress, or advantage relative to the person referred to. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis of the phrase as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ahead of him" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is in front of, progressing faster than, or has better prospects than another person. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely accepted and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes your intention clear, whether physical position, progress, or advantage. Remember that phrases like "in front of him" can be valid alternative based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in front of him

This alternative directly replaces "ahead" with "in front", maintaining the spatial or metaphorical sense of being further forward.

at the head of him

This alternative directly references the front position. Less common usage.

further along than him

This emphasizes the comparative progress made by someone.

one step ahead of him

Implies a slight advantage or being slightly more prepared or knowledgeable.

leading him

This suggests being in a position of leadership or being the first to do something.

progressing faster than him

This is similar to outpacing, focusing on the speed of advancement.

before him

This emphasizes the temporal aspect of being earlier in time or order.

surpassing him

This implies exceeding or outdoing him in a particular area.

outpacing him

This focuses on the rate of progress, suggesting someone is moving faster.

preceding him

This denotes coming before him, especially in a sequence or order.

FAQs

How can I use "ahead of him" in a sentence?

You can use "ahead of him" to describe someone's position, progress, or future prospects. For example, "She was running "ahead of him" in the race" or "He had a bright future "ahead of him"".

What does "ahead of him" mean?

"Ahead of him" indicates that someone or something is in front of or progressing before a particular person. It can refer to physical location, progress in a task, or future opportunities.

What are some alternatives to saying "ahead of him"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in front of him", "leading him", or "surpassing him" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in front of him" instead of "ahead of him"?

Yes, "in front of him" is often a suitable alternative, particularly when referring to physical location. However, ""ahead of him"" can also imply progress or advantage, which "in front of him" may not always convey.