Meaning & use
abreast
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Meanings
adverb
Side by side and facing the same direction, especially while moving.
Grammar: Used after a verb, often with 'of' or 'with': walking abreast of each other.
Patterns
- walk abreast
- ride abreast
- abreast of someone
The two friends walked abreast along the narrow path.
Cyclists must not ride more than two abreast on this road.
The soldiers marched abreast in perfect lines.
adverbidiom
Used in the phrase 'keep abreast of' meaning to stay informed about the latest developments.
Grammar: Always used in the phrase 'keep abreast of something' or 'stay abreast of something'.
Patterns
- keep abreast of something
- stay abreast of something
I try to keep abreast of the news by reading online.
Doctors must keep abreast of new treatments.
She stayed abreast of changes in the law.
Common combinations
- walk abreast
- They walked abreast, talking quietly.
- keep abreast of
- It's important to keep abreast of current events.
- stay abreast of
- He reads journals to stay abreast of research.
- ride abreast
- The riders came abreast around the corner.
Synonyms and how they differ
- side by side
- Similar meaning, but 'side by side' is more general and can be used when people are not moving.
- level
- Can mean equal in position, but does not imply facing the same direction while moving.
Opposites
Commonly confused: abreast or abreast of?
abreast vs abreast of
This is a phrase meaning 'up to date with'; without 'of', abreast simply means side by side.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The correct pattern is 'abreast of someone' when meaning side by side. 'Abreast the path' is wrong because abreast is not a preposition; 'abreast to' and 'abreast with' are not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abreast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.