is well ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is well ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is significantly in front of others in terms of progress, performance, or position. Example: "In the race for the championship, the leading team is well ahead of its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

CBS is well ahead with a 3.1 rating.

The New York Times

Obama is well ahead among early voters: 54-39.

The New Yorker

"George is well ahead of anyone," Mr. Oram said.

The New York Times

When it comes to reducing waste, Europe is well ahead of America.

The New York Times

Mr Sharon is well ahead of his rival, according to the polls.

The Economist

The investment rate, at more than a fifth of GDP, is well ahead of Brazil's.

The Economist

And with Bucharest, Craig is well ahead of the budget crowd: he lives there.

The Guardian - Travel

That is well ahead of a schedule set in the 2005 energy bill.

The New York Times

But in terms of executive directors, Germany is well ahead of Britain.

The Guardian

Waterford is well ahead of other river communities in the Albany region.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This order turnaround is well ahead of its closest competitor, Compaq.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is well ahead" to clearly and concisely convey that something or someone is significantly more advanced or successful compared to others. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from sports and politics to business and technology.

Common error

Avoid using "is well ahead" when a simple "is ahead" suffices. The "well" emphasizes a significant lead or advantage, so ensure the context warrants this stronger assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is well ahead" functions as a descriptive predicate adjective, indicating a state of advancement or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying a significant lead or advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is well ahead" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a significant lead or advantage. Ludwig AI analysis, along with numerous real-world examples, confirms its suitability across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context warrants the emphasis on a substantial lead, avoiding overuse when a simpler "is ahead" would suffice. The phrase conveys a clear message of superiority or progress, making it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is considerably advanced

Replaces "well ahead" with "considerably advanced", emphasizing the degree of progress.

is significantly leading

Uses "significantly leading" instead of "well ahead", focusing on the act of leading by a notable margin.

is comfortably in the lead

Replaces "well ahead" with a more descriptive phrase, indicating a secure leading position.

has a substantial advantage

Shifts the focus to having an advantage rather than being ahead, implying a favorable position.

is in a commanding position

Indicates a strong and dominant position, similar to being well ahead.

is far superior

Emphasizes the superiority of something or someone, suggesting they are much better than others.

is out in front

A more informal way of saying someone is leading, but with the same core meaning.

is making great strides

Focuses on the progress being made, implying advancement beyond others.

is progressing rapidly

Highlights the speed of advancement, suggesting it's faster than others.

is gaining ground quickly

Indicates catching up or surpassing others at a fast pace.

FAQs

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

You can use "is well ahead" to indicate that someone or something is significantly in front of others in terms of progress, performance, or position. For example: "In the polls, candidate A "is well ahead" of the other candidates".

What are some alternatives to "is well ahead"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is significantly leading", "has a substantial advantage", or "is in a commanding position".

Is it more formal to say "is well ahead" or "is ahead"?

"Is well ahead" implies a more substantial lead or advantage than simply "is ahead". Therefore, ""is well ahead"" can be seen as slightly more emphatic, but both are generally suitable for most formal contexts.

What's the difference between "is well ahead" and "is slightly ahead"?

"Is well ahead" indicates a considerable distance or advantage, while "is slightly ahead" suggests a minimal or marginal lead. The choice depends on the degree of advancement you want to convey.