is ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in a forward position or leading in a competition or comparison. Example: "In the race, Sarah is ahead of all her competitors, maintaining a steady pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Smith is ahead, however.

The New Yorker

"Huge work is ahead".

The New York Times

But change is ahead.

The New York Times

D3115 is ahead of you!

The New Yorker

"Daniel is ahead of schedule.

Independent

Zenit is ahead, 3-2.

The New York Times

What is ahead?

The New York Times

His gaze is ahead and within.

The New Yorker

I think Slauson, without question, is ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

More complicated work is ahead of us.

The New York Times

They have not faced what is ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is ahead" to clearly indicate a leading position, whether in a competition, a timeline, or a developmental stage. For example, instead of saying "the project is progressing well", specify "the project is ahead of schedule".

Common error

Avoid using "is ahead" when you actually mean "will be ahead". "Is ahead" indicates a present state, while "will be ahead" projects a future state. For instance, say "the team is ahead in the polls now", not "the team is ahead in the polls next week" if referring to a future prediction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is ahead" functions as a predicate within a sentence, typically describing the state of a subject that is in a leading or more advanced position relative to others. As shown by Ludwig, this can apply to various contexts, such as competitions, schedules, or developmental stages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is ahead" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates a state of leading or progressing. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and applicable across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "is in the lead" and "is progressing" exist, "is ahead" provides a concise and clear way to convey that something is in a forward or advantageous position. Remember to use "is ahead" to denote a current state and avoid confusing it with future predictions using "will be ahead". By grasping its nuances and contexts, you can effectively incorporate "is ahead" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in the lead

Indicates a leading position, focusing on the current status in a competition or race.

is leading

Highlights the action of leading, suggesting ongoing progress.

is in front

Emphasizes physical positioning or ranking order.

is progressing

Focuses on the advancement or forward movement.

is advancing

Similar to progressing, but can imply a more strategic or intentional movement.

is surpassing

Indicates exceeding expectations or a previous benchmark.

is exceeding

Emphasizes going beyond a certain limit or expectation.

is outstripping

Suggests a more significant margin of progress or lead.

is gaining ground

Highlights the act of closing a gap or improving one's position, but it can imply it was behind and it is not ahead yet.

is on track

Indicates that something is progressing as planned and is likely to be ahead based on the current parameters.

FAQs

How can I use "is ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "is ahead" to indicate a leading position or progress in various contexts. For example, "Our team "is ahead" in the competition", or "The project "is ahead" of schedule".

What's a more formal way to say "is ahead"?

In formal settings, you might consider using phrases like "is in the lead" or "is progressing" depending on the specific context. These alternatives offer a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it always clear when to use "is ahead" versus "will be ahead"?

No, careful distinction is important. "Is ahead" indicates a current state of being in the lead, while "will be ahead" describes a future expectation. Choose based on whether the lead is factual now or predicted for later.

What can I say instead of "is ahead of schedule"?

Instead of "is ahead of schedule", you could say "is progressing faster than expected", "is further along than anticipated", or "is on an accelerated timeline".