I would like to know what is the difference between "opposite" and "in front of". Whenever I look the definitions for these words up in the dictionary, I do not understand what the difference is. I would appreciate it if there vas some kind of visual support to help me and my students when I explain it. Thanks a lot!

4 Answers


"Opposite" is on the other side of something - a street, a geometric figure, a space ... For example, two buildings on opposite sides of a street; the opposite side of the park.

"In front of" usually implies close and at the front. For example, a car parked in front of a building, the person in front of me blocked my view.

(From Wordreference)


,,Opposite'' means placed or located directly across from something else or from each other, for example: opposite sides of the building. It can also mean being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things, for example: the opposite sex

,,In front of'' means it is in a position where you can see it if you look forwards, for example : There's parking space in front of the hotel.


igilmo 220

Thank you for the answers! Although the explanations are quite good, it would be nice if someone could upload some images which protrayed the difference because that would help my students to understand the difference. Thanks a lot!


tiffy 7330

You can see the photos here http://ieltsreviewcentermanila.tumblr.com/post/64001129012/the-difference-between-opposite-and-in-front. The above photo is "opposite" while the second photo is "in front of."

Example: Photo 1: The men were standing on opposite direction. (One man walks to his right, while the other walks to his left).

Photo 2: The couple is sitting in front of the television, watching The Walking Dead. (The couple is facing in the television).

You should practice using these words properly for the IELTS exam.

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