front of a list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "front of a list" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first item or position in a list of items or tasks. Example: "To prioritize our tasks, we should focus on the items at the front of the list first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Officials have come and gone, some leaving memorable impressions for the wrong reasons: many relatives were upset when the minister of education sat on a posh chair and ate in their midst in the gymnasium; a public official was relieved of his position after suggesting a photo op in front of a list of passenger names.

The Economist

Once we got in, we stood in front of a list of the time slots for each act, and strategically planned which bands we would see since it seemed like everyone we loved was playing at exactly the same time.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He proposed at the Eiffel Tower in Paris in June 2005, and they were married at a 15th-century Italian castle in a ceremony conducted by a Church of Scientology minister in front of A-list guests.

The Guardian - Film

I peer across the front row of A-list names – the editor of Vogue, model Arizona Muse – before discreetly placing Georgio cards on each of their seats.

Vice

I peer across the front row of A-List names – the editor of Vogue, model Arizona Muse – before discreetly placing Georgio cards on each of their seats.

Vice

The cardinals have in front of them a list of their names and several ballots, rectangular pieces of paper with the words "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" — "I elect as Supreme Pontiff".

The New York Times

With one month until the opening ceremony, rising crime and falling police budgets have pushed their way to the front of a long list of concerns, which also include water pollution, the Zika epidemic, recession and political turmoil.

The Guardian

At another of the more refined places, they've hung a huge, garish banner out front with a list of silly theme nights, but it waves over a vacant street.

The New York Times

Click through your member's website and contact the front office with a list of dead links.  .  .

TechCrunch

The women have been charged with submitting fraudulent documents — including forged police reports and court orders — to portray themselves as victims of domestic violence in an apparent attempt to jump to the front of a long waiting list for government subsidized apartments, said Rose Gill Hearn, the commissioner of the city's Department of Investigation.

The New York Times

It involves getting a series of famous actors to memorise and perform Shakespeare's longest and most famous play in front of an invited A-list audience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "front of the list" to emphasize the order and sequence of items, especially when prioritizing or discussing a series of steps.

Common error

Avoid using "front of the list" to imply that the items listed later are unimportant. The "front" refers only to the order, not necessarily the significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "front of a list" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate position or priority within a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "front of a list" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies the beginning or top of an ordered sequence. Ludwig AI validates its acceptability and frequent use. While versatile across contexts, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. Alternative phrases like "top of the list" or "beginning of the list" can be used for variety, but "front of a list" remains a clear and effective way to indicate priority or initial position. When writing, remember that the phrase simply refers to the sequence and doesn't necessarily imply greater importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top of the list

Indicates the highest priority or first position.

head of the list

Implies a leading or initial position.

beginning of the list

Directly refers to the start of the list.

start of the list

Similar to beginning, but can imply a process.

forefront of the list

Suggests a prominent or leading position.

in first place on the list

Emphasizes a competitive or ranked context.

at the top of the queue

Uses 'queue' as a list, implies waiting.

leading position on the list

Focuses on being ahead or in charge.

primary item on the list

Highlights importance and initial order.

first in line on the list

Implies a sequential order or ranking.

FAQs

What does "front of a list" mean?

The phrase "front of a list" refers to the beginning or the top position in a sequence of items. It indicates the first or most immediately accessible entries in an ordered collection.

How can I use "front of a list" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate priority or the start of a sequence, such as, "We should address the issues at the "top of the list" first."

Are there alternatives to saying "front of a list"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "top of the list", "head of the list", or "beginning of the list" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "front of a list"?

While generally acceptable, consider if a more specific term like "priority item" or "initial step" would provide greater clarity in certain contexts.