get ahead of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get ahead of" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea of advancing or surpassing someone or something in progress or achievement. Example: She worked hard to get ahead of her classmates in their studies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Get ahead of the hitters".

The New Yorker

I didn't get ahead of myself.

The New York Times - Sports

We need to get ahead of this.

The New Yorker

Get ahead of the drop-off.

The New York Times

"I can't get ahead of myself.

Independent

"Can I get ahead of everyone?

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

The New York Times - Books

Progress is getting ahead of everybody".

The New Yorker

Senator McCain is getting ahead of himself".

The New York Times

But I am getting ahead of myself.

The New Yorker

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get ahead of" to encourage proactive planning. For example, "To ensure project success, get ahead of potential roadblocks by identifying them early."

Common error

While "get ahead of" is widely applicable, overuse in overly casual conversation can sound unnatural. Opt for more informal alternatives like "staying on top of" or "being ready for" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get ahead of" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the act of progressing beyond or anticipating something, indicating proactive behavior or strategic advantage. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get ahead of" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the concept of progressing further, anticipating, or gaining an advantage. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business settings. The phrase serves to encourage proactive planning and preparation. When aiming for clarity and impact, consider alternatives such as "stay ahead of" or "anticipate" to best suit the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay ahead of

Focuses on maintaining a lead rather than initially achieving it, implying continuous effort.

anticipate

Highlights predicting and preparing for something before it happens, emphasizing foresight.

outpace

Emphasizes moving faster than something else, suggesting a race or competition.

surpass

Focuses on exceeding a limit or expectation, indicating achievement beyond a set standard.

gain an advantage over

Highlights obtaining a beneficial position compared to others, focusing on strategic positioning.

be in the lead

Indicates being in a position of control or dominance, emphasizing current status.

get the jump on

Implies starting before others, emphasizing the initial advantage gained.

forestall

Focuses on preventing something from happening by taking action beforehand, emphasizing preventative measures.

preempt

Highlights acting before someone else can, focusing on taking initiative.

get a head start

Emphasizes starting early to gain an initial advantage, focusing on early preparation.

FAQs

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

You can use "get ahead of" to mean anticipating or progressing further than someone or something else. For instance, "We need to "get ahead of" the competition by innovating our product line."

What are some alternatives to "get ahead of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stay ahead of", "anticipate", or "outpace".

Is it better to use "get ahead of" or "be ahead of"?

"Get ahead of" suggests the action of moving into a leading position, whereas "be ahead of" indicates a current state of being in the lead. The choice depends on whether you're describing an action or a state.

How does "get ahead of" differ from "get ahead of yourself"?

"Get ahead of" generally means to progress or anticipate. "Get ahead of yourself", however, implies acting prematurely or presumptuously, as in "Don't "get ahead of yourself"; let's finish the planning stage first".