at the front of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the front of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a location that is closer to the beginning, or "front," of a space, whether that space is physical or figurative. For example, "The presentation slides were located at the front of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm not at the front of it.

The Guardian - Books

At the front of the house, there's a small study.

The New York Times

Forgiveness is at the front of Mr. Kelly's mind.

The New York Times - Arts

Her teacher stood at the front of the room.

Independent

Bode Miller was at the front of the line.

The New Yorker

Maybe bent a little at the front of the rim.

The New York Times

He started the race at the front of the pack.

The New York Times

It's not at the front of my mind".

The New York Times - Magazine

Finch is at the front of the courtroom with Robinson.

The New Yorker

I was at the front of the class.

The Guardian - Film

You are at the front of the queue".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements, use "at the front of" to clearly indicate the foremost part or position of something. For example, "The captain stood at the front of the ship."

Common error

Avoid using "in front of" when "at the front of" is more appropriate. "In front of" usually refers to being directly ahead of something else, while "at the front of" indicates a position within the foremost part of something. For example, say "She was standing at the front of the line" not "She was standing in front of the line" if she's the first person in line.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the front of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating location or position. As evidenced by Ludwig, it specifies that something or someone is situated in the foremost part of an area or object. For instance, in the examples, it describes a teacher standing at the front of a classroom or a house having a study at its front.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the front of" is a versatile prepositional phrase predominantly used to indicate the foremost position of something or someone. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, as well as informal settings like wikis. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to avoid common errors such as confusing it with "in front of", which denotes a different spatial relationship. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively use "at the front of" to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the forefront of

Highlights being in a prominent or leading position, especially in a particular field or activity.

at the head of

Similar to "at the front of" but implies a leadership role or being in charge.

at the leading edge of

Suggests being at the most advanced or innovative point.

in the vanguard of

Emphasizes being in a leading or pioneering position, particularly in a movement or development.

in the lead of

Implies being ahead of others, particularly in a race or competition.

leading the way in

Indicates setting an example or pioneering a new approach.

at the helm of

Suggests being in control or directing something, like a ship or organization.

in a forward position

A more general way of describing being ahead or in the front.

to the fore of

An alternative way of saying at the front, potentially more literary.

in the primary position of

Emphasizes the importance and dominance of the role or location.

FAQs

How do you use "at the front of" in a sentence?

Use "at the front of" to describe a location that is the foremost part of something. For example, "The teacher stood "at the front of" the classroom" or "The best seats are "at the front of" the theater".

What's a good alternative to "at the front of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in the forefront of", "at the head of", or "leading the way in". Each alternative carries slightly different nuances.

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

"At the front of" is generally preferred and more grammatically sound. "In the front of" might be acceptable in informal conversation, but "at the front of" is more precise and widely accepted in formal writing.

How does the meaning of "at the front of" differ from "in front of"?

"At the front of" indicates a position within the foremost part of something, whereas "in front of" refers to being directly ahead of something else. For example, someone "at the front of the class" is in the first row, while someone "in front of the class" is facing the class, possibly presenting.