ahead
ahead — adverb
1. at a point that is further forward along the direction you are moving or facing.
at a point that is further forward along the direction you are moving or facing.
Eitan saw the river just ahead and slowed his bicycle.
ahead used after a noun to mark a point in front
Walk straight ahead until you reach the red post box.
straight ahead with imperative directions
The taxi driver kept his eyes firmly ahead through the heavy snow.
A line of geese flew ahead of the small fishing boat.
Dilnoza pointed to the wooden bridge ahead and grinned.
- behind
directly opposite for spatial position
文法句型
go/walk/look + ahead
ahead of + noun
用法筆記
Often pairs with verbs of motion or perception (go, walk, look, see, point). With 'ahead of + noun', the noun is the reference point you are in front of.
常見錯誤
2. with a higher score, more votes, or a stronger result than your rivals at a part
with a higher score, more votes, or a stronger result than your rivals at a particular moment in a game, election, or contest.
Brazil were ahead by two goals at half-time on Saturday.
ahead by + number for score margin
The young challenger is ahead in every opinion poll this week.
ahead in + noun naming the contest
With three holes left, Wen was ahead and looking very calm.
Our debate team finished the first round ahead of the city champions.
文法句型
be + ahead
ahead by + number
ahead in + noun
用法筆記
Frequently follows 'be' or 'go'; the rival, when stated, takes 'of' (ahead of the others). Common in sports reporting and election coverage.
常見錯誤
3. at a higher level of skill, development, or success than other people working in
at a higher level of skill, development, or success than other people working in the same field or doing the same activity.
Omar is two chapters ahead of the rest of his reading group.
[amount] ahead of + group
Small bakeries here are ahead of the city's big chains on sourdough.
To get ahead in this company, you need very strong language skills.
The Finnish team is years ahead in cleaner battery design.
- advanced
describes the stage reached; 'ahead' adds the comparison with others
- in the lead
more competitive flavour, like sense 2
- behind
describes someone who has made less progress
文法句型
get/be ahead
ahead of + person/group
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about long-term progress (skills, career, technology), not a current scoreline. Often followed by 'of + group' or 'in + field'.
常見錯誤
4. in baseball, in a stronger position against the batter because the pitcher's str
in baseball, in a stronger position against the batter because the pitcher's strike total is higher than the ball total during the current at-bat.
Tariq was ahead in the count and decided to throw his hardest fastball.
ahead in the count = pitcher's favour
Once she got ahead of the batter, the rookie pitcher visibly relaxed.
ahead of + batter
Coaches teach young pitchers to stay ahead in the count whenever they can.
By the third inning, Hernandez was ahead on almost every batter he faced.
- in the pitcher's count
more technical; common among coaches and analysts
- behind in the count
the opposite situation, when the batter has the advantage
文法句型
be ahead in the count
ahead of + batter
用法筆記
Strict baseball term. Subject is always the pitcher; the reference noun is 'the count' or 'the batter'. Outside baseball broadcasts and articles, this sense will not be understood.
5. at a point in the future, especially when you are thinking about what is coming
at a point in the future, especially when you are thinking about what is coming next in your life or plans.
There are some difficult choices ahead for the new mayor of Taichung.
[noun] + ahead for future events
Dilnoza has a long career ahead of her in classical music.
ahead of + person for life/career time
Looking ahead to next spring, the team plans to open a second clinic.
Five long days of exams lie ahead before the summer holiday begins.
- in the future
more neutral; 'ahead' suggests something approaching
- to come
literary; 'the years to come'
- in the past
future vs. past contrast
- behind (someone)
as in 'put the bad year behind her'
文法句型
lie/wait + ahead
the [noun] ahead
用法筆記
Often used after a noun (challenges ahead, the road ahead) or with verbs of looking, planning, and lying. With a person, use 'ahead of him/her/them' to talk about life still to come.
常見錯誤
6. at a time earlier than a planned event, deadline, or expected moment, often so t
at a time earlier than a planned event, deadline, or expected moment, often so that you are ready in advance.
The road repairs were finished two weeks ahead of schedule.
ahead of schedule = earlier than planned
Buy your train tickets ahead if you want a window seat to Hualien.
ahead used alone meaning 'in advance'
Reporters arrived in the village hours ahead of the prime minister.
The Mayor announced the new tax ahead of next Monday's council meeting.
- in advance
very close; 'in advance' is slightly more formal
- early
simpler; 'ahead of schedule' is the natural collocation, not 'early of schedule'
- behind schedule
later than the planned time
- late
general opposite of being early
文法句型
ahead of + noun (event/time)
ahead of schedule
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5: this sense compares two specific points in time (something happening earlier than another), while sense 5 simply locates events in the future. Almost always 'ahead of + noun' or fixed phrases like 'ahead of schedule', 'ahead of time'.