front an adverb

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A question asking whether the word "front" can work as an adverb; the answer is yes, in a few fixed uses.

   Grammar: Used as a heading or search phrase, not as a normal sentence part.

   Patterns

   • is front an adverb

   "Is front an adverb?" she asked, pointing at the sentence on the board.

   My teacher wrote "front an adverb" in the margin, so I looked it up.

2. 2adverb

   In or toward the leading part of something, mainly in fixed phrases such as "front and center" or "eyes front."

   Grammar: Adverb use is limited to a few set phrases; you cannot freely say "he walked front."

   Patterns

   • front and center
   • eyes front

   The new statue stands front and center in the town square.

   The sergeant shouted "Eyes front!" and the soldiers looked straight ahead.

3. 3nouncountable

   The part of something that faces forward, or the position of being first or most important.

   Grammar: Most commonly a noun: the front of a building, the front of the line.

   Patterns

   • the front of something
   • at the front
   • in front of someone

   There is a small garden at the front of the house.

   She sat at the front of the class so she could hear clearly.

   Write your name on the front of the envelope.

4. 4adjectivebefore a noun

   Located at or facing the forward part; used before a noun.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: the front door, the front row. It is not usually used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • front door
   • front row
   • front page

   Please close the front door when you leave.

   Their story was on the front page of every newspaper.

   We had seats in the front row of the theater.

5. 5verbtransitive

   To lead or represent a group or project, often a band or a business.

   Grammar: Takes an object: front a band, front a campaign.

   Patterns

   • front a band
   • front a campaign
   • front an organization

   She fronts a jazz band on weekends.

   A famous actor fronted the health campaign.

Word forms

Common combinations

front and center

The issue of pay is now front and center in the talks.

eyes front

The coach told the runners, "Eyes front!" before the race.

in front of

A cyclist stopped right in front of me.

at the front

Volunteers stood at the front to hand out water.

front page

The scandal made the front page for three days.

Synonyms and how they differ

ahead

Means further forward in space or time; it is a normal adverb, unlike "front," which is mostly a noun or adjective.

forward

Describes movement toward the front and works freely as an adverb; "front" does not.

lead

As a verb it means to be in charge, similar to "front" a group, but it is far more common and general.

Opposites

Word family

frontage noun

The part of a building or land that faces a street.

frontal adjective

Relating to the front part of something, as in a frontal attack.

frontward adverb

Toward the front; rare and mostly American.

fronting noun

The act of leading a band or serving as the public face of a group.

Commonly confused: front an adverb or front? front an adverb or fronts?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “front an adverb”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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