ahead

ahead — 副詞

1. at a point that is further forward along the direction you are moving or facing.

1.副詞B1
釋義

前方；向前

在面對或前進方向的前面

at a point that is further forward along the direction you are moving or facing.

例句

Eitan saw the river just ahead and slowed his bicycle.

Eitan看見河就在前方，便放慢了腳踏車的速度。

ahead used after a noun to mark a point in front

Walk straight ahead until you reach the red post box.

一直往前走，直到看見紅色郵筒為止。

straight ahead with imperative directions

同義詞
  • forward

    more about direction of movement; 'ahead' often marks a point in front

  • in front

    stronger spatial sense; 'ahead' adds a feeling of moving toward that point

反義詞
  • 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

❌Walk ahead from the post office for two blocks.
✅Walk straight ahead from the post office for two blocks.
💡directional 'ahead' usually needs 'straight' or a verb of motion to feel natural.

2. with a higher score, more votes, or a stronger result than your rivals at a part

2.副詞B2
釋義

領先

比賽或選舉中分數或票數較高

with a higher score, more votes, or a stronger result than your rivals at a particular moment in a game, election, or contest.

例句

Brazil were ahead by two goals at half-time on Saturday.

巴西隊星期六上半場以兩球領先。

ahead by + number for score margin

The young challenger is ahead in every opinion poll this week.

這位年輕的挑戰者本週在每一份民調中都領先。

ahead in + noun naming the contest

同義詞
  • leading

    very close in meaning; often used as the present participle in match reports

  • in front

    informal; common in football commentary

反義詞
  • behind

    the losing or trailing side at the moment of speaking

  • level

    scores tied

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

❌Our team is ahead than the others by ten points.
✅Our team is ahead of the others by ten points.
💡use 'ahead of', not 'ahead than'.

3. at a higher level of skill, development, or success than other people working in

3.副詞C2
釋義

領先；超前

進度或水準比他人更先進

at a higher level of skill, development, or success than other people working in the same field or doing the same activity.

例句

Omar is two chapters ahead of the rest of his reading group.

Omar比他讀書會的其他人多讀了兩章。

[amount] ahead of + group

Small bakeries here are ahead of the city's big chains on sourdough.

本地小麵包店在酸種麵包上比城裡的大連鎖店更先進。

同義詞
  • advanced

    describes the stage reached; 'ahead' adds the comparison with others

  • in the lead

    more competitive flavour, like sense 2

反義詞
  • 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

❌She is ahead than her classmates in maths.
✅She is ahead of her classmates in maths.
💡'ahead' takes 'of', never 'than'.

4. in baseball, in a stronger position against the batter because the pitcher's str

4.副詞
釋義

球數領先

棒球中投手好球多於壞球

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.

例句

Tariq was ahead in the count and decided to throw his hardest fastball.

Tariq球數領先，決定投出他最快的速球。

ahead in the count = pitcher's favour

Once she got ahead of the batter, the rookie pitcher visibly relaxed.

球數一領先打者，這位菜鳥投手就明顯放鬆了下來。

ahead of + batter

同義詞
反義詞

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

5.副詞B1
釋義

未來；前方

即將到來的時間或階段

at a point in the future, especially when you are thinking about what is coming next in your life or plans.

例句

There are some difficult choices ahead for the new mayor of Taichung.

台中的新市長未來有些艱難的選擇要面對。

[noun] + ahead for future events

Dilnoza has a long career ahead of her in classical music.

Dilnoza在古典音樂上還有很長的職業生涯等在前方。

ahead of + person for life/career time

同義詞
  • in the future

    more neutral; 'ahead' suggests something approaching

  • to come

    literary; 'the years to come'

反義詞

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

❌A bright future is ahead her.
✅A bright future lies ahead of her.
💡when a person is the reference, use 'ahead of'.

6. at a time earlier than a planned event, deadline, or expected moment, often so t

6.副詞B2
釋義

提前；提早

比預定時間或事件更早

at a time earlier than a planned event, deadline, or expected moment, often so that you are ready in advance.

例句

The road repairs were finished two weeks ahead of schedule.

道路修繕工程比預定時間提前兩週完工。

ahead of schedule = earlier than planned

Buy your train tickets ahead if you want a window seat to Hualien.

如果你想要靠窗座位去花蓮，請提前買火車票。

ahead used alone meaning 'in advance'

同義詞
  • in advance

    very close; 'in advance' is slightly more formal

  • early

    simpler; 'ahead of schedule' is the natural collocation, not 'early of schedule'

反義詞

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'.

常見錯誤

❌The team finished the project ahead than the deadline.
✅The team finished the project ahead of the deadline.
💡use 'ahead of', not 'ahead than', for time comparisons.