usage of ahead to express the time

[Khalid79]

Hi All ,
how can i use the word ahead to express the time ?
for example can i say :
i have to get there five minuts ahead ( before).
you'd better be there ahead the opening cermony ( before)

thanks for answering

[Soup]

Hi Khalid

1. I have to get there 5 minutes ahead (of time).
2. I have to get there 5 minutes before.
3. You'd better be there ahead the opening ceremony.
4. You'd better be there before the opening ceremony.
5. I was there ahead of you.
6. I was there before you.

[Snowcake]

Soup, is it possible to say

You'd better be there ahead of the beginning of the opening ceremony.

I am wondering if ahead has to be followed by 'of' before a noun.

Thanks.

[banderas]

You'd better be there ahead of the beginning of the opening ceremony.
Hi, snowcake! A good remark.
It works to me!

I am wondering if ahead has to be followed by 'of' before a noun.
Yes.

Thanks.

j

[Snowcake]

Thank you, banderas.

[Soup]

Snowcake,

"You'd better be at the ceremony ahead of time" works.
"...ahead of the beginning of the ceremony" doesn't work.

________________
banderas, try 'It works for me.'

[Snowcake]

Thanks, Soup.

Is there any explanation for this, or is it as it is?

I'm trying to find a rule, but maybe I'm on the wrong track.

[Soup]

Hi

Have you tried a web concordancer? If not, here is a good place to start: Web Concordancer

[banderas]

Hi

Have you tried a web concordancer? If not, here is a good place to start: Web Concordancer

If we can say:
ahead of publication,
ahead of schedule,
ahead of the game,
ahead of the storm,
ahead of today's metting,
ahead of today's debate,
ahead of the handover,
then why do you see as incorrect to say:
ahead of ceremony or ahead of the beginning of something?
Anyway, thanks, Soup, for telling me to say "works for me"
If you come up with an explanation, please post it.

[Soup]

Hi banderas

First, "ahead of [the] ceremony" is correct; "ahead of the beginning ..." isn't because it's near redundant. Second, "ahead" collates with 'of time' more so than 'of [noun]':

1. You'd better be there ahead of time, before the opening ceremony.

2. You'd better be there ahead of the opening ceremony. (Meaning, before it starts)

Third, Khalid's example "ahead the ceremony" isn't correct, and Snowcake's example, "ahead of the beginning" doesn't work.