ahead of the

USAGE SUMMARY

"ahead of the" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a prepositional phrase to refer to the relationship between two elements, indicating that one comes before the other. Example: I need to finish this assignment ahead of the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Get ahead of the hitters".

The New Yorker

ahead of the next campaign".

The New Yorker

Keep ahead of the curve.

The New York Times - Books

Was India ahead of the curve?

The Economist

Hendrick is already ahead of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

"Connecticut was ahead of the game.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They're always ahead of the zeitgeist.

The New York Times

Some banks are ahead of the curve.

The Economist

Ahead of the pack is China.

The Economist

We were way ahead of the country.

The New Yorker

ahead of the Colonial office schedule.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ahead of the" to indicate time, ensure it's clear whether you mean 'earlier than' or 'in anticipation of'. For example, "The report was released ahead of the deadline" is clearer than just saying "ahead of the report".

Common error

Avoid using "ahead of the" when a simpler preposition like "before" or "in front of" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ahead of the" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a position in front, either temporally or spatially. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to show precedence or advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ahead of the" functions as a prepositional phrase denoting precedence or leadership. It is commonly used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While versatile, it’s important to ensure clarity in its usage, especially distinguishing between temporal and positional meanings. Consider alternatives like "before the" or "in advance of the" depending on the specific context. Avoiding overuse keeps writing concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the

A more straightforward way of expressing temporal or positional precedence.

prior to the

Highlights the chronological order, indicating something happened earlier.

in advance of the

This alternative emphasizes the preparatory aspect of being before something else.

preceding the

A formal way of indicating that something comes before in order or time.

out in front of the

This phrase emphasizes being physically or metaphorically in a leading position.

at the head of the

Suggests being in charge or at the forefront of something.

in the lead of the

Similar to "leading the", but with a slightly different emphasis on maintaining the leading position.

leading the

Focuses on being in a position of control or dominance.

surpassing the

Implies exceeding expectations or a certain level.

further along than the

Emphasizes progress and being more advanced compared to others.

FAQs

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

You can use "ahead of the" to indicate being earlier in time, more advanced, or in a leading position. For example, "The project was completed "in advance of the" deadline" or "The company is "leading the" market in innovation".

What are some alternatives to "ahead of the"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "before the", "prior to the", or "leading the".

Is it always necessary to use "the" after "ahead of"?

In most standard English contexts, "the" is necessary after "ahead of" when referring to a specific noun. However, in some informal contexts, it might be omitted, although this is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "ahead of the curve" and "ahead of the game"?

"Ahead of the curve" typically implies being innovative or anticipating future trends, while "ahead of the game" suggests being in a favorable position or having an advantage in a specific situation. They both indicate a state of preparedness, but in different aspects. If you are ahead of the curve "ahead of the curve" you are innovative but if you are ahead of the game "ahead of the game" you are winning.