are at the front

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are at the front" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe where someone or something is located, and can also indicate a position of importance or prominence. Example: "The volunteers are at the front of the line, eagerly waiting to start their community service project." In this sentence, "are at the front" indicates the location of the volunteers in relation to the line, and also suggests that they are in a position of importance or leadership in the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You are at the front line.

The Guardian

In English, new words are at the front.

The New York Times - Science

You are at the front of the queue".

The Guardian - Opinion

A variety of newspapers and T-shirts are at the front desk.

The New York Times - Travel

But the real challenges are at the front end, in the villages themselves.

The Economist

The less cleaner areas are at the front of the largest towns such as Santiago Atitl?

The New York Times

The Rocky steps are at the front of the Philadelphia Musuem of Art.

The Guardian - Travel

Now, thanks to doubts about the quality of corporate accounts, profits are at the front of investors' minds.

The Economist

Its three illuminated Christmas trees on the border with North Korea are at the front line of a diplomatic battle.

The Economist

It is true that classroom teachers are at the front line when it comes to struggling students.

The New York Times

"I do want to embrace positively the traditions, so that cabalettas are at the front of the stage.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are at the front" to clearly indicate a leading position, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The innovative companies are at the front of technological advancement".

Common error

While both phrases indicate a forward position, "are at the front" often implies being a part of the leading group or edge, whereas "in front" simply describes a position ahead of something else. Use "are at the front" when you want to emphasize leadership or being part of a leading group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are at the front" primarily functions as a predicate describing the location or position of a subject. As Ludwig AI says, it indicates where someone or something is, often suggesting a position of importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are at the front" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that denotes a leading position, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase is commonly found in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether you intend to convey a literal location or a metaphorical position of leadership or innovation. Be mindful of the distinction between "at the front" and "in front", with the former often implying a part of a leading group, and the latter simply indicating a position ahead of something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in the lead

Indicates a position of being ahead or in charge.

are in the forefront

Emphasizes being in a prominent or leading position.

are at the head

Highlights the position of leadership or control.

are leading the way

Highlights the act of guiding or pioneering.

are in the vanguard

Suggests being at the cutting edge or forefront of progress.

are spearheading

Implies leading an effort or initiative.

are ahead of the curve

Implies being innovative or advanced compared to others.

are in the primary position

Highlights a place that is first in order or importance.

are pioneering

Suggests being the first to develop or use something.

are in the first rank

Emphasizes being among the most important or skilled.

FAQs

What does "are at the front" mean?

The phrase "are at the front" typically means being in a leading position, either literally in terms of physical location or figuratively in terms of importance or progress. It suggests being ahead of others or at the forefront of a particular activity or field.

How can I use "are at the front" in a sentence?

You can use "are at the front" to describe the location of people or things, such as, "The students are at the front of the line." You can also use it to indicate a position of leadership or innovation, for example, "Those companies "are in the lead" in developing new technologies."

What are some alternatives to "are at the front"?

Some alternatives to "are at the front" include ""are in the lead"", "are in the forefront", or "are leading the way". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "are at the front line" instead of "are at the front"?

Yes, "are at the front line" is a correct and often used variation, especially when referring to being in a position of direct engagement or confrontation, such as in a battle or a crisis. The phrase "are at the front" is more general and can apply to a broader range of contexts.