to edge ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to edge ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is gaining a slight advantage or moving ahead of others. Example: "In the final lap of the race, she managed to edge ahead of her competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And he takes the opportunity, slamming a dead straight backhand down the line to edge ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

Four and a half feet to edge ahead of the squabbling pack.

The Guardian - Sport

Anaheim took two of three from Seattle to edge ahead of the Mariners in the American League West.

The New York Times - Sports

And the Dutchman can't make it, leaving Taylor the chance to edge ahead in sets for the first time.

The Guardian - Sport

Fifth set: Federer* 3-2 Nadal Play resumes - and, incredibly, Federer pounds down back-to-back aces to edge ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

The Northern Irishman lost the 1st to a birdie and took until the 7th to edge ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

Leave started to edge ahead in overall votes, the lead nudging past 500,000 towards a million.

The Guardian

It was level 25-25 afthe the first quarter, before the NBA stars began to edge ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He racked up 107 to edge 2-1 ahead before 124 in the final morning frame left Maguire facing an uphill battle.

BBC

Commonwealth silver medallist Kirsty Gilmour saw off Zuzana Pavelkova 21-16 21-16 to edge Scotland ahead again before Blair and Paul Van Rietvelde beat Pavel Florian and Ondrej Kopriva 21-16 21-14 to claim the winning lead.

BBC

In this new digital retail world, success will be reliant on continuing to reinvest in new research technology, always seeking to stay an edge ahead of consumer needs.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to edge ahead" when you want to convey a gradual or slight advancement, especially in competitive situations or when describing incremental progress. For instance, "The company used innovative marketing strategies to edge ahead of its competitors."

Common error

Avoid using "to edge ahead" when the advancement is substantial or decisive. Opt for stronger verbs like "dominate" or "overtake" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the lead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to edge ahead" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often used adverbially to modify another verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It describes the way someone or something progresses to gain a slight advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

34%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to edge ahead" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe gaining a slight advantage or moving incrementally into a lead position. Ludwig AI confirms this based on numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news, sports, and business. While the phrase is versatile, remember that "to edge ahead" conveys a subtle shift, and stronger verbs should be used for describing significant advancements. Remember, "to edge ahead" is typically a neutral expression, making it suitable for a broad range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to inch ahead

Emphasizes a very small increment of progress, suitable for tight competitions.

to gain a slight advantage

Focuses on the acquisition of a small benefit, emphasizing the act of gaining rather than the movement.

to pull slightly ahead

Implies a bit more effort or force in overtaking, even if the margin is small.

to move slightly forward

Highlights the forward progression in a subtle manner, suitable when the advance is minimal.

to take a marginal lead

Focuses on the action of assuming a narrow lead, suitable in formal contexts.

to creep into the lead

Suggests a slow and gradual advancement, often implying stealth or subtlety.

to surpass by a narrow margin

Highlights that the act of overtaking was by a small quantity.

to get a nose in front

An idiomatic expression signifying a marginal lead, particularly in competitive scenarios.

to outstrip slightly

Conveys exceeding another but in a subtle way.

to supersede negligibly

Emphasizes replacement or succession by a tiny amount.

FAQs

How can I use "to edge ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "to edge ahead" to describe a situation where someone or something is gaining a slight advantage. For example, "The athlete used a burst of speed in the final stretch to "to edge ahead" of the competition."

What's the difference between "to edge ahead" and "to take the lead"?

"To edge ahead" implies a gradual and often slight advancement, while "to take the lead" suggests a more significant and decisive move into the foremost position.

Which is correct, "to edge ahead" or "to gain advantage"?

Both "to edge ahead" and "to gain advantage" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "To edge ahead" specifically refers to moving slightly into the lead, while "to gain advantage" is a broader term that means to obtain some form of benefit or superiority.

What can I say instead of "to edge ahead"?

You can use alternatives like "to gain a slight advantage", "to move slightly forward", or "to inch ahead" depending on the context.