put at the front

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put at the front" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to position something at the beginning or forefront of a list, document, or physical arrangement. Example: "Please put at the front of the queue those who arrived first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"A living wage, and interest rate caps – they should be put at the front, not as additions to other things.

The Guardian - Opinion

One to quickly put at the front of your record collection when your cool friends come round, we think.

The Guardian - Music

Ms Gillard promised a fight "to stop foreign workers being put at the front of the queue with Australian workers at the back".

The Economist

Protesters injured in previous weeks of violence were put at the front of the protests, some of whom wore eyepatches with a target sign on them.

The Guardian

In all cases, some tourists were guests of the White House who did not have to get tickets and were put at the front of the line.

The New York Times

They won't be impressed if a refugee who has just arrived from Syria is put at the front of the line," said McCallum.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Hamilton was stripped of pole when his team told him to stop out on the track after he set his final qualifying time, which had put him at the front of the grid by more than 0.5 seconds.

BBC

They used to put us at the front when the fighting started.

The Guardian

"I needed to find a way to put myself at the front of the line".

The New York Times - Magazine

Could you talk a little bit about that, and your decision to put that at the front of the book?

The New Yorker

If we put them at the front of the haunt, people won't even go in — it's too scary".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put at the front" to describe prioritizing tasks or items, ensure it's clear why those specific items are being prioritized to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "put at the front" in contexts where more nuanced language is required, such as in formal reports or academic papers. In those scenarios, consider alternatives like "prioritize" or "emphasize" for greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put at the front" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used to indicate the act of prioritizing or physically placing something in a more prominent position. It denotes an action taken to emphasize importance or visibility, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put at the front" is a versatile phrasal verb used to denote prioritization or physical placement at the beginning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to direct attention and emphasize importance. While grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, ranging from news to academic writing, it's important to consider more nuanced alternatives like "prioritize" or "emphasize" in very formal settings. Understanding these nuances can help ensure effective and contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move to the front

Implies a change in position, bringing something forward.

place in the lead

Emphasizes the act of positioning something or someone in a leadership role or first position.

set at the forefront

Highlights the act of making something highly visible and important.

position at the head

Focuses on the act of placing something at the very beginning or top of a sequence.

bring to the fore

Focuses on making something more noticeable or prominent.

lead with

Suggests starting with something, often to emphasize it.

prioritize

Indicates giving something higher importance or precedence.

showcase prominently

Indicates displaying something in a way that is easily seen and appreciated.

make paramount

Emphasizes the importance of making something the most significant concern.

highlight

Emphasizes calling attention to something important.

FAQs

How can I use "put at the front" in a sentence?

You can use "put at the front" to describe prioritizing items, positioning physical objects, or highlighting elements. For example, "We need to "put at the front" of the agenda the issues that most concern our voters".

What are some alternatives to "put at the front"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prioritize", "emphasize", or "place in the lead" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it most appropriate to use "put at the front"?

It is appropriate when you want to describe the act of making something prominent or prioritizing something either physically or conceptually. For example, when organizing a display, you might ""put at the front"" items you want customers to notice first.

Is "put at the front" considered formal or informal language?

"Put at the front" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might choose a more sophisticated synonym like "position at the head" or "set at the forefront".