stand ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

'stand ahead' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to being in a position of advantage or leadership over others. For example, "You should stand ahead of your competitors and lead the way with innovative ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Here's a guide to where things stand ahead of Monday's hearing.

The New York Times

Only they, the United States and Austria stand ahead of us.

The Guardian - Sport

He knows Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo stand ahead of him.

The Guardian - Sport

But when creditors get in line, he gets to stand ahead of the employees.

The New York Times

One of those workers is Steven Woody, who was painting the graduation stand ahead of commencement ceremonies.

The Guardian

Team USA took six medals in the pool and stand ahead of China at the top of that league table.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Only I.B.M. now stands ahead of it in total revenue in the $60 billion worldwide server market.

The New York Times

Now just one man, Gerd Müller, who scored 85 times in 1972, stands ahead of Messi as the all-time accumulator of goals in a single year.

The New York Times - Sports

Heading into the final seven weeks of the season, the Emerald City stands ahead of West Palm Beach and Dallas on the ratings list.

The Washington Post

Only Walter Hammond, as insatiable in his run-getting as he was stylish in the way he got them, stands ahead of him, with 905 in 1928-29.

The Guardian - Sport

Liverpool stands ahead of inner London in terms of the growth of newly formed digital companies, with a 119% rate compared with 92%.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand ahead" to clearly indicate precedence or a leadership position, especially when comparing entities or individuals. For example, "In terms of innovation, this company stands ahead of its competitors".

Common error

Avoid using "stand ahead" when you actually mean simply "to stand" or "to be located". Ensure the context truly implies a position of advantage, not just physical placement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand ahead" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of precedence or superiority. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where one entity is leading or more advanced than others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stand ahead" is grammatically correct and functions as a verb phrase indicating precedence or superiority. Ludwig examples show it's used to express that something or someone is in a leading position, offering an advantage over others. While categorized as uncommon, it's most frequently found in news and media, sports, and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to denote a position of leadership or advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in the lead

Focuses on having a leading position, emphasizing current advantage.

be at the forefront

Emphasizes being in an advanced or prominent position.

outpace

Highlights exceeding someone else's progress or performance.

take precedence

Stresses the act of preceding or taking priority.

lead the way

Focuses on guiding or directing, suggesting forward movement.

be superior to

Highlights a higher level of quality or ability.

be in a favorable position

Highlights a beneficial situation relative to others.

have an advantage

Emphasizes possessing a beneficial characteristic or resource.

look forward

Focuses on anticipating a future event or outcome.

be poised to

Highlights readiness and expectation of a future event.

FAQs

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

You can use "stand ahead" to describe someone or something that is in a leading position or has an advantage. For example, "This innovative product "stands ahead" of its competitors in the market."

What are some alternatives to saying "stand ahead"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be in the lead", "outpace", or "take precedence", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "stand ahead of" or "stand ahead from"?

The correct preposition to use with "stand ahead" is "of". "Stand ahead of" is the standard and grammatically correct form.

How does "stand ahead" differ from "stand out"?

"Stand out" implies being noticeable or distinct, while "stand ahead" suggests being in a superior or leading position. They are not interchangeable.