is in front of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is in front of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the position of one object relative to another, indicating that it is located ahead or before it. Example: "The car is in front of the house, blocking the driveway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is in front of me?

The New Yorker

"The result is in front of you".

The New York Times

"Championship play is in front of us.

The New York Times - Sports

Play what is in front of you.

The Guardian - Sport

That work is in front of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can win against whoever is in front of us".

The New York Times

A short liplike labrum is in front of the mouth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A second rule: Follow whoever is in front of you.

The New York Times

In Milan, everyone is in front of the Sforza.

The New York Times

Life is in front of me, not behind".

The New York Times - Books

They draw conclusions from what is in front of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is in front of" to describe a sequence, ensure the context clearly indicates the order. For example, "Stage one is in front of stage two in the process flow."

Common error

Avoid using "is in front of" when you mean "because of" or "due to". "The increase in sales is in front of a new marketing campaign" is incorrect. Instead, say "The increase in sales is due to a new marketing campaign."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is in front of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the relative position or order of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, demonstrated through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is in front of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate the relative position or order of items. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, ensure that "is in front of" is used to accurately describe spatial, temporal, or hierarchical relationships, avoiding its misuse to indicate causation. Consider alternatives like "is ahead of" or "precedes" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is ahead of

Suggests a position further forward than something else.

is before

States the position of something being ahead or in advance.

faces

Indicates directionality and orientation toward something.

is at the head of

Highlights the position at the beginning or forefront.

stands before

Emphasizes a formal or prominent position in front of something or someone.

precedes

Indicates coming before something else, either in time or order.

is in the lead

Focuses on being in a leading position, especially in a competition.

leads

Implies guiding or directing from a forward position.

is nearest to

Indicates being the closest in proximity to a certain point.

overlooks

Describes a higher vantage point offering a view from above and in front.

FAQs

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

You can use "is in front of" to describe the relative position of objects, people, or abstract concepts. For example, "The car is in front of the house", or "Success is in front of those who persevere".

What are some alternatives to saying "is in front of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is ahead of", "precedes", or "faces".

Is it correct to use "is in front of" to describe future opportunities?

Yes, you can use "is in front of" to describe future opportunities or challenges. For example, "A great future is in front of him".

What's the difference between "is in front of" and "is before"?

"Is in front of" typically refers to a physical position or order in a sequence, while "is before" can also refer to time or logical priority. While very similar, "is before" often has a broader range of application.