at the forefront vs in the forefront

Both 'at the forefront' and 'in the forefront' are correct phrases in English. However, 'at the forefront' is more commonly used and considered more idiomatic. Both phrases convey the idea of being in a leading or prominent position.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 1400 views

at the forefront

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

The phrase 'at the forefront' is used to indicate being in a leading or prominent position in a particular field, activity, or movement.

Examples:

The company is at the forefront of technological innovation.
She is at the forefront of the fight for gender equality.
Their research is at the forefront of scientific discovery.

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British business is already at the forefront in realising the potential of e-commerce in Europe.
The Labour Government is likewise at the forefront in creating the right environment for e-commerce to thrive.
For its part, Parliament has consistently been at the forefront in backing such action.
You could be at the forefront.
While agriculture is the indisputable driving force behind the negotiations, we need to make equally far-reaching progress in all the other issues, placing Development at the forefront.
The present dynamics suggest that proposals for the harmonisation of contracts - still optional at this stage - will be implemented with these same interests at the forefront.
We have also been at the forefront on the rural livelihood agenda and helping to support legitimate employment.
We are definitely at the forefront when it comes to actual implementation.
In the fight to clean up our planet, Britain's Labour Government has, of course, been at the forefront.
The European Union has been at the forefront in devising new waste management strategies in recent years.
By entering into self-employment and setting up small businesses women can be at the forefront on innovation and diversification in rural areas.
The European Parliament should be at the forefront in this respect but without interfering with the competences and duties entrusted to the Commission by the Treaties.
It is fitting that our House should be at the forefront in European terms in promoting this degree of transparency.
Europe's ambition is to be at the forefront in terms of research and development, innovation and new technological solutions which enable better management of energy resources.
It should not be forgotten that our approach to climate change policy has helped put European industry at the forefront when it comes to environmental low-carbon technology.
The European Parliament has consistently been at the forefront when it comes to calling for measures against harmful traditional practices.
The European Union must be at the forefront in acting to protect forests.
This House has been at the forefront in this field on more than one occasion.
Emphasises that developed countries should be at the forefront in promoting the concept of Sustainable Development;
This system was introduced to ensure that Ireland operates to the highest standards of disease monitoring and control and is at the forefront in terms of consumer assurance and food safety.

Alternatives:

leading the way
pioneering
in the vanguard
at the cutting edge
in the lead

in the forefront

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

The phrase 'in the forefront' is also used to convey the idea of being in a leading or prominent position, but it is less idiomatic than 'at the forefront'.