Opposite vs. In front of

Opposite or in front of?

from English Grammar Today

Opposite as a preposition means ‘in a position facing someone or something but on the other side’:

Jake sat opposite Claire in the restaurant. (Jake and Claire are facing each other on different sides of the table.)

Not: Jake sat in front of Claire …

In front of as a preposition means ‘close to the front of something or someone’:

There was a woman in front of me in the bus queue who was crying. (I was standing behind the woman.)

Compare

We parked opposite the hotel.

We parked in front of the hotel.

(“Opposite or in front of ?” from English Grammar Today © Cambridge University Press.)