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Anonymous Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Is "front" a direction?

I'd appreciate it if someone would answer my question. Thank you in advance.

<Q1> Can I say "front" is a direction?

In most cases, "front" is used with a definite article, as in on the front of the book, in the front of the car, to the front of the house ---. In theses cases "front" seems to be "the forward part".
But I think "front" has various meanings, one of which would be the forward direction.
Am I right?


<Q2>
What concerns me a lot is why "front" is sometimes used without a definite article as in "Which way is front?" and "There is a garden in front of our house."
I think it's clear that "front" in these cases doesn't refer to "the forward part".
Can I say "front" without a definite article is used to refer to the forward direction?

  

Top answer

anonymous Can I say "front" is a direction? No, I wouldn't say so. "direction" implies movement.

— GPY

  • anonymous Can I say "front" is a direction?
  • No, I wouldn't say so.
  • "direction" implies movement.
  • The "front" is a part of something, or a location relative to something.
  • " as correct English.
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3 Answers
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anonymous Can I say "front" is a direction?

No, I wouldn't say so. "direction" implies movement. The "front" is a part of something, or a location relative to something.

anonymous What concerns me a lot is why "front" is sometimes used without a definite article as in "Which way is front?" and "There is a garden in front of our h
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Thank you GPY.

I see your idea, but there is something I'm not so sure of.

You said "in front (of)" is a special idiom.
Can I say it's so highly idiomatic that "the" is omitted?

I think "I can't tell which way is front" is right as a way of expressing disorientation?
Am I wrong?

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