on the forefront

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the forefront" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something being at the forefront of progress, development, or change. For example: "The new technology is on the forefront of digital communication development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My Bostonian bug turned out to be one of many on the forefront of an unprecedented resurgence.

The New York Times

Kimberly-Clark is one of those companies that has been on the forefront.

Forbes

Please keep this on the forefront.

The New York Times

He said: "As far as anything on the forefront?

The New York Times - Sports

Reinsurers are on the forefront of risk management.

The New York Times

"We want to be on the forefront," she said.

The New York Times

"We're on the forefront of the residential revolution".

The New York Times

"We are trying to be on the forefront".

The New York Times

They also help keep Japanese companies on the forefront of crucial aeronautical technology.

The New York Times

"I feel like I'm on the forefront of a new frontier".

The New York Times

"And that we consider ourselves on the forefront of social media".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the forefront" to emphasize that an entity or concept is not only involved but is also a leader in a particular field or movement. For example, "The company is on the forefront of sustainable technology."

Common error

Avoid overusing "on the forefront" for minor advancements; reserve it for situations where the entity is truly making a significant impact or leading notable progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the forefront" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is in a leading or advanced position within a specific field or activity. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the forefront" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe something leading in a field or activity, as validated by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and media, this prepositional phrase effectively highlights pioneering efforts and significant advancements. While alternatives such as "leading the way" or "at the cutting edge" exist, "on the forefront" maintains a strong presence when emphasizing leadership and progress. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it’s a versatile phrase suitable for professional and neutral contexts, underscoring its authority and reliable usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the forefront

Drops the preposition "on" but maintains the same core meaning of leading.

in the forefront

Uses preposition "in" instead of "on", similar meaning.

on the cutting edge

Highlights the innovative aspect of being in a leading position.

at the leading edge

Focuses on the 'edge' of advancement, implying a cutting-edge position.

in the vanguard

Emphasizes a leadership role, similar to being a pioneer or leading a movement.

in the forefront of innovation

Adds explicit context of innovation to the core phrase.

leading the way

Simple expression indicating that someone is ahead of others.

pioneering

Short expression indicating introducing new ideas or methods.

at the helm

Implies being in control and leading a specific area or initiative.

in the lead

Indicates someone is winning or leading, but is less specific.

FAQs

How can I use "on the forefront" in a sentence?

Use "on the forefront" to describe something that is leading or pioneering in a particular area. For example, "This research is "on the forefront" of cancer treatment."

What is a good alternative to "on the forefront"?

Alternatives include "leading the way", "at the leading edge", or "in the vanguard". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in the forefront" instead of "on the forefront"?

Both "on the forefront" and "in the forefront" are used, but "on the forefront" is more common. While the meanings are nearly identical, "on" may be slightly preferred in contemporary usage.

What's the difference between "on the forefront" and "on the cutting edge"?

"On the forefront" indicates leadership and being ahead in a field, while "on the cutting edge" emphasizes innovation and advanced technology. They're similar, but "cutting edge" is more specifically about innovation.