Month

Question

-We have the whole month in front of us. -We have the whole month before us. Are these two sentences correct? What do you think?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

There is no hard and fast rule, but you may want to apply a few general principals in making your decision about when to use "in front of" and when to use "before".

"in front of" is used more when speaking of physical things.

"Stop standing in front of the television. I can't see anything!" "The maple trees were planted in front of the house."

"in front of" cannot be followed by a noun that specifies a time. You can't say, "Meet me in front of 12 o'clock."

"before" is used more when speaking of abstract things. It can be used when the literal meaning of "in front of" makes no real sense. Sometimes it just seems more poetic than "in front of". Sometimes it's just a question of "everybody says it that way" when either would do.

"The man was arrested and brought before the court." "You still have your whole life before you." "As we reached the summit, we saw the entire valley spread out before us."
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I think either of your choices is fine. I find the first more casual sounding; the second, more serious perhaps. Personally, I would probably generate "ahead of us" in my own conversations!

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